Cytokines as markers of non-functional overstrain in rowing athletes

BACKGROUND: Regular high-intensity exercise, combined with other stressors and lack of adequate recovery time, can cause a sustained pro-inflammatory response, leading to systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation.

AIM: The aim of this study is to establish the prognostic effectiveness of proinflammatory IL-1β, TNFα, IL-8, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and myokine IL-6 as markers of dysfunctional overstrain and overtraining in rowing athletes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 male athletes aged 18–22 years were examined, specializing in rowing, 1^st category, candidates for master of sports. Of these, 28 were dynamic (4 times). The control group included 24 healthy donors, men aged 18–22 years. Cardiac overstrain was diagnosed based on 24-hour ECG data: identification of ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles in the absence of organic changes in the heart. The content of cytokines in blood serum was determined using the Human Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel 1 reagents (Merck, Millipore) on a MagPix device. The research results were processed using parametric statistics methods.

RESULTS: Rowing athletes show an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can be both a consequence of adaptive changes and a sign of long-term systemic inflammation. Determination of IL-6, IL-8, TNFα may be useful for assessing the body’s adaptation to training loads. The greatest changes in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines are observed during the competitive period, and it should be taken into account that an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 occurs in response to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and is a sign of good adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS: The greatest importance in the diagnosis of non-functional cardiac overstrain in rowing athletes should be given to an increase in IL-1α and IL-6 and an increase in TNFα against the background of a decrease in IL-4.