An Exploratory Investigation of Inflammation-Associated Circulating MicroRNAs Following Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise

Abstract

PURPOSE: The expression of inflammation-associated circulating microRNAs (ci-miRNAs) has been shown to be upregulated following acute aerobic exercise in both obese and normal-weight individuals. Research has recently discovered that acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) promotes the release of specific ci-miRNAs as regulators of skeletal myogenesis; however, no study has examined the effects of acute HIIE on inflammation-associated ci-miRNAs. Therefore, this study attempted to conduct an exploratory investigation on serum expression of inflammation-associated ci-miRNAs (miR-21, -126, -130b, and -221) after acute HIIE in healthy young males. METHODS: Eight males were recruited to participate in HIIE on a cycle ergometer, which consisted of 10 bouts of 1 min cycling at 90% maximum power output, separated by 2 minutes of active rest. Blood samples were collected prior to, immediately after exercise, 30, and 60 minutes into recovery. RESULTS: Acute HIIE did not elicit significant alteration on the expression of miR-21, -126, -130b, and -221 across the four time points. CONCLUSION: Unlike aerobic exercise, acute HIIE may not regulate the expression of inflammation-associated ci-miRNAs in healthy young males. Further investigation is warranted to recruit individuals with inflammatory conditions (e.g., obesity), as well as modify the work-to-rest ratio of HIIE protocol, to gain a better understanding of the potential role of these inflammation-associated ci-miRNAs in response to exercise.