Soluble interleukin-6 receptor in young adults and its relationship with body composition and autonomic nervous system.

Henry H León‐Ariza,Daniel A Botero‐Rosas,Dario Reyes‐Cruz,Edward J Acero‐Mondragón

doi:10.14814/phy2.14315

Abstract

BackgroundThe immune system generates inflammatory responses through cytokines like Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and the Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF α); these cytokines mediate cellular responses aided by the presence of soluble receptors such as: Soluble Interleukin 6 Receptor (sIL6R) and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors Type 1 and 2 (sTNFR1, sTNFR2); the literature is limited about the relationship between this cytokines and the role of its soluble receptors.ObjectivesThis study is to determine a possible relationship between specific inflammatory markers and their soluble receptors with the autonomic nervous system's activity and body composition.Methods27 subjects (13 men of 19.3 ± 1.6 years old and 14 women of 19.1 ± 1.7 years old) were evaluated. Body composition, autonomic nervous system activity and plasma concentration of inflammatory markers IL‐6, TNF α, sIL6R, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were measured using bio‐impedance, heart rate variability and ELISA respectively.ResultsA positive association between body‐fat percentage and the sIL6R (0.47, p = .013) as well as inverse relationship between muscular mass and the sIL6R (−0.45, p = .019) were found. The sIL6R was also positively correlated with sympathetic activity markers: Relation LF/HF (0.52, p = .006), cardiac sympathetic index (0.45, p = .008), and cardiac vagal index (−0.44, p = .022).ConclusionThis study suggested that the IL‐6 trans‐signaling involving both the soluble receptor, sIL6R, and gp130 membrane co‐receptor could produce inflammatory responses that generate an impact on the autonomic nervous system, possibly due to its direct action on the hypothalamus, the solitary tract nucleus, or the heart.

Highlights

The process of inflammation provides a protective response for tissues facing damage
The inflammatory response can be acute or chronic, depending on the increase in cytokines in plasma, most of which are produced by the immune system cells (Hotamisligil, 2006)
The resting heart rate was higher in women than in men, 80.4 ± 12.2 beats per minute compared to 66.9 ± 16.3 beats per minute p = .02, without significant differences in the parameters derived from heart rate variability (HRV)

Summary

Introduction

The process of inflammation provides a protective response for tissues facing damage It is dependent on the activation of the immune system, which generates responses in different tissues. Substances like IL-6 are considered pleiotropic, meaning that they have both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects; that depends on whether the sIL6R, is present in plasma or not (Scheller, Chalaris, Schmidt-Arras, & Rose-John, 2011). It depends on the presence of a co-receptor, gp130, on the cellular membrane (Demyanets, Huber, & Wojta, 2012). Objectives: This study is to determine a possible relationship between specific inflammatory markers and their soluble receptors with the autonomic nervous system's activity and body composition. Conclusion: This study suggested that the IL-6 trans-signaling involving both the soluble receptor, sIL6R, and gp130 membrane co-receptor could produce inflammatory responses that generate an impact on the autonomic nervous system, possibly due to its direct action on the hypothalamus, the solitary tract nucleus, or the heart

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