Plasma pentraxin 3 and glucose kinetics following acute high-intensity interval exercise versus continuous moderate-intensity exercise in healthy men.

Abstract

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is mainly synthesized and released by neutrophils to help regulate innate immunity. While plasma PTX3 concentrations are associated with improved glucose metabolism and overall metabolic health, there is evidence that significant elevations in plasma glucose downregulate circulating levels of PTX3. To examine whether this relationship would be altered in response to exercise, this study investigated the kinetics of the plasma glucose and PTX3 responses following high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and continuous moderate-intensity exercise (CMIE). It was hypothesized that the increased concentrations of plasma glucose following HIIE compared with CMIE would be associated with an attenuated plasma PTX3 response. Eight healthy male subjects participated in both HIIE and CMIE protocols administered as a randomized, counterbalanced design. Linear mixed models for repeated measures revealed that the overall plasma glucose response was greater following HIIE compared with CMIE (protocol × time effect: p = 0.037). Although the plasma PTX3 response was higher only at 19 min into HIIE compared with CMIE (protocol × time effect: p = 0.013), no relationships were observed between plasma glucose and PTX3 either at baseline or in response to both exercise protocols, as indicated by the area under the curve "with respect to increase" analysis. Our results indicate that exercise-mediated plasma PTX3 concentrations are independent of the plasma glucose response. In addition, the present study suggests that the neutrophil-mediated innate immune response, as indicated by plasma PTX3 response, may be activated earlier during HIIE compared with CMIE.