Acute interleukin-6 administration impairs athletic performance in healthy, trained male runners.
Fatigue is an inevitable consequence of physical activity; yet its biological cause remains uncertain. During exercise, a polypeptide messenger molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6) is actively produced. Previously, the administration of recombinant IL-6 (rhIL-6) induced a heightened sensation of fatigue in healthy humans at rest. In contrast, anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies reduced the symptoms of chronic fatigue. In the present study, athletic performance during an exercise challenge consisting of a 10-km running time trial was significantly impaired in trained male runners following the administration of a low dose of rhIL-6 compared to the placebo trial.
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Dept. of Human Biology, Univ. of Cape Town, Newlands, South Africa.
Paula J
PJ
Robson-Ansley
Liesl
L
de Milander
Malcolm
M
Collins
Timothy D
TD
Noakes
D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000187:drug effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012420:Running
D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins