Effects on serum protein levels from one bout of high intensity interval
training in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis and controls
Abstract
Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory
disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton causing pain,
inflammation, and stiffness. Individuals with axSpA are at greater risk
of developing cardiovascular disease, which can be counteracted by
physical activity. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been
shown to improve cardiovascular health, but the effect on disease
activity and the level of inflammation in axSpA has been less studied.
With the aim of investigating how levels of inflammatory cytokines,
myokines, and protein markers for bone metabolism are acutely affected
by one bout of HIIT, we studied serum from individuals with axSpA and
healthy controls (HC). Methods: Ten participants with axSpA and 11 age-
and sex-matched HC performed a single HIIT bout on a cycle ergometer:
4x4 minutes intervals with three minutes active rest in between. Blood
samples were taken before and one hour after the HIIT bout. Serum
proteins (IL-6, IL-17, IL-18, TNF, CXCL-10, VEGF-A, BDNF, DKK-1,
osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, BMP-7, CRP) were analyzed
with a Luminex system or ELISA. A two-way ANOVA was used for
comparisons. Results: A main effect from baseline to one hour post HIIT
showed that both groups had a significant increase in serum levels of
IL-6. VEGF-A was significantly lower in the axSpA group but was not
affected by the HIIT bout. BMP-7 increased in both groups after the
HIIT. For the other proteins analyzed, there were no significant
differences in serum concentrations between individuals with axSpA and
HC, or within the two groups before and after one bout of HIIT.
Conclusions: One acute bout of HIIT significantly increases the serum
concentrations of IL-6 and BMP-7 after one hour in both individuals with
axSpA and HC, whereas serum levels of other proteins investigated are
not changed.