Acute effects of resistance training on cytokines and osteoprotegerin in women with metabolic syndrome

Summary Chronic inflammation has been identified as an important component of metabolic syndrome ( M et S ). Inhibition of the inflammatory mediator signals is a promising strategy against insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and other problems associated with M et S . Regular exercise decreases the components associated with M et S , including inflammatory cytokines. However, the relationship between an acute resistance training ( RT ) session, cytokine levels and M et S is unclear. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effects of a single bout of acute RT on tumour necrosis factor ( TNF ‐α), interleukins ( IL ) IL ‐1a, IL ‐1 β , IL ‐12, IL ‐6, IL ‐10 and osteoprotegerin ( OPG ) in women with M et S . Twenty‐four women were divided into 2 groups: metabolic syndrome ( M et S ) and non‐metabolic syndrome ( N on‐ M et S ). After the familiarization and testing for 1 repetition maximum (1 RM ), participants completed 3 sets of 10 repetitions in the following exercises: machine leg press, leg extension, leg curl, chest press, lat front pull‐down and machine shoulder press with 60% of 1 RM followed by 15 repetitions of abdominal crunches. A rest interval of 1 min was allowed between sets and exercises. Plasma TNF ‐α, IL ‐1a, IL ‐1 β , IL ‐12, IL ‐6, IL ‐10 and OPG were measured before, immediately post and 60 min after RT . MetS group showed significantly higher concentrations of IL ‐1β ( P  =   0·024) and IL ‐6 ( P  =   0·049) and a trend for higher TNF ‐α values ( P  =   0·092) compared with N on‐ M et S . There was no group × time interactions after the RT session on the measured cytokines and osteoprotegerin. In conclusion, acute RT session induced no additional increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines nor a decrease in anti‐inflammatory cytokines and OPG in women with M et S .