Skeletal muscle growth in young rats is inhibited by chronic exposure to IL-6 but preserved by concurrent voluntary endurance exercise.

ABSTRACT: Childhood diseases are often accompanied by chronic inflammation, which is thought to negatively impact growth. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is typically cited as an indicator of inflammation and is linked to impaired growth. This study was designed to isolate and identify potential effects of chronic IL-6 exposure on skeletal muscle growth during development. A second aim was to determine if endurance exercise, thought to antagonize chronic inflammation, would interact with any effects of IL-6. The muscles of one leg of rapidly growing rats were exposed to IL-6 or vehicle for 14 days. Subgroups of IL-6-infused rats were provided access to running wheels. Local IL-6 infusion resulted in approximately 13% muscle growth deficit (myofibrillar protein levels). Exercise (>4,000 m/day) prevented this de

SUBMITTER: Bodell PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2644243 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature