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Physical activity and modulation of systemic low‐level inflammation
Author(s) -
Bruunsgaard Helle
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0505247
Subject(s) - proinflammatory cytokine , myokine , inflammation , systemic inflammation , tumor necrosis factor alpha , interleukin 6 , biology , sedentary lifestyle , skeletal muscle , interleukin , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , disease , immunology , obesity , medicine , endocrinology , cytokine
It has been recognized for some time that cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are, to a major extent, inflammatory disorders associated with an environment characterized by a sedentary lifestyle together with abundant intakes of calories. Systemic low‐level inflammation is suggested to be a cause as well as consequence of pathological processes with local tumor necrosis factor α production as an important biological driver. It is hypothesized that physical inactivity contributes to an enhanced proinflammatory burden independently of obesity, as regular muscle contractions mediate signals with myokines/cytokines as important messengers, which suppress proinflammatory activity at distant sites as well as within skeletal muscle. Muscle‐derived interleukin (IL)‐6 is considered to possess a central role in anti‐inflammatory activities and health beneficial effects in relation to physical exercise. It is discussed how this fits the consistent observation that enhanced plasma levels of IL‐6 represent a strong risk marker in chronic disorders associated with systemic low‐level inflammation and all‐cause mortality.