Moderate-Intensity Exercise Alters Circulating Hormones and Cytokines in HIV-Infected Men

Abstract

PURPOSE: Persons infected with HIV suffer from numerous physiological and psychological alterations that often include changes in circulating levels of various anabolic and catabolic factors. These alterations can result in decreased lean tissue mass (LTM), redistributed fat mass, and declines in physical performance. Exercise training has been shown to beneficially alter these variables in other populations, thus the goal for this study was to examine how mo derate-intensity exercise training alters these factors in HIV-infected men. METHODS: HIV-infected individuals were randomized to an exercise group (EX) who completed 6 weeks (twice per week) of moderate-intensity resistance and aerobic exercise training, or to a control group (CON) that received only the standard of care. Resting blood and saliva samples were collected prior to and following the intervention, and samples were collected before, during, and following the individual exercise or control sessions. RESULTS: Those in the MOD group showed an increase in GH immediately post exercise (P=.014), an increase in IL-6 30 minutes (P=.015) and 60 minutes (P=.016) post exercise, a decrease in cortisol immediately post exercise (P=.026) and a decrease in sTNFrII 60 minutes (P=.029) post exercise. The CON group had a decrease in GH compared to pre at post 30 (P<.001) and post 60 (P<.001). There was a decrease in salivary cortisol at wake (P=.025) in the EX group, and a trend (P=.07) for a decrease 1 hour after waking. There were no other changes detected. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that exercise training can transiently decrease the catabolic factor cortisol, while individual sessions of moderate-intensity exercise can beneficially affect multiple circulating anabolic and catabolic factors in HIV-infected men, thereby presenting potential mechanisms for the increase in lean tissue mass that is seen with exercise training in this population. This work was Supported by the A CSM and the NIH.