Abstract
Exercise-associated immune response plays a crucial role in the aging process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sport intensity on cytokine levels, oxidative stress markers and telomere length in aging elite athletes. In this study, 80 blood samples from consenting elite athletes were collected for anti-doping analysis at an anti-doping laboratory in Italy (FMSI). Participants were divided into three groups according to their sport intensity: low-intensity skills and power sports (LI, n = 18); moderate-intensity mixed soccer players (MI, n = 31); and high-intensity endurance sports (HI, n = 31). Participants were also divided into two age groups: less than 25 (n = 45) and above 25 years old (n = 35). Serum levels of 10 pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and two antioxidant enzymes were compared in age and sport intensity groups and telomere lengths were measured in their respective blood samples. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was the only cytokine showing significantly higher concentration in older athletes, regardless of sport intensity. Interleukin (IL)-10 increased significantly in HI regardless of age group, whereas IL-6 concentration was higher in the older HI athletes. IL-8 showed a significant interaction with sport intensity in different age groups. Overall, significant positive correlations among levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-8 and TNF-α were identified. The antioxidant catalase activity was positively correlated with levels of TNF-α. Telomere length increased significantly with sport intensity, especially in the younger group. HI had longer telomeres and higher levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting less aging in HI compared to low and moderate counterparts in association with heightened immune response. Investigation of the functional significance of these associations on the health and performance of elite athletes is warranted.
Highlights
The past decade has witnessed an increased interest in the aging of the immune system
Significant differences were observed by intensity between the two age groups, as IL-6 levels were higher in moderate intensity in athletes under 25 years old compared to lower intensity counterparts, whereas levels were not different between low- and moderate-intensity groups in athletes above 25 years old
A similar interaction between age and intensity grou observed with regard to IL-8, as levels decreased with high intensity in athletes u years old, whereas levels increased in high intensity in those above 25 years
Summary
The past decade has witnessed an increased interest in the aging of the immune system. Immune cells decrease in number and undergo impaired functioning, which reduces their efficiency and leads to a chronic inflammatory state [1]. The health benefits of physical activity on biological systems are well established. The effect of physical activity on the aging of the immune system and the underlying regulators are 4.0/). Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1035 not well characterized. Improving immunological factors through exercise might exert an anti-immunosenescence effect [2,3]
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