Inflammatory cytokines and malnutrition as related to risk for cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patientsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the special issue Bridging the Gap: Where Progress in Cardiovascular and Neurophysiologic Research Meet.

Malnutrition and inflammation are associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) powerfully predict death from cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to establish an association between markers of inflammation and parameters of malnutrition in patients on hemodialysis. The study population consisted of 42 hemodialysis patients with different parameters of malnutrition. Blood samples were taken after an overnight fast, and plasma lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) were measured by using conventional enzymatic methods. Serum urea and creatinine levels were also measured by routine procedures. Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level (hs-CRP), TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Standard Doppler echo examinations were used to determine plaque on carotid arteries, and end-diastolic diameter (EDD) and ejection fraction (EF) were measured by echocardiography. Malnourished patients exhibited significantly greater evidence of cardiovascular disease and carotid plaques. Factor (principal component) analysis indicated 6 latent factors with 67.5% of the variance explained within all investigated parameters. Cluster analysis was used to distinguish the inflammatory markers and the nutritional markers from other parameters and to visualize similarities between variables. In summary, this cross-sectional study in hemodialysis patients found a high prevalence of malnutrition, inflammation, carotid plaques, and cardiovascular disease. Malnourished dialysis patients are more often found with cardiovascular disease and carotid plaques. In addition, these patients have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, which may partly explain the elevated risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease.

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High YKL-40 serum levels and its expression in the muscle tissues of patients with antisynthetase syndrome

Advances in Rheumatology ◽

10.1186/s42358-021-00199-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Renata Casseb de Souza Carboni ◽

Gustavo Luiz Behrens Pinto ◽

Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo

Keyword(s):

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Disease Status ◽

Inflammatory Cells ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Antisynthetase Syndrome ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Muscle Tissues ◽

Tnf Α

Abstract Background The protein chitinase-3-like-1 (YKL-40) is rarely analyzed in patients with myositis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate YKL-40 serum levels; correlate them with laboratory and clinical parameters, disease status, and treatment schemes; and analyze the YKL-40 expression in the muscle tissues of patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASSD). Methods This cross-sectional single-center study included 64 adult patients with ASSD who were age-, gender-, and ethnicity-matched to 64 healthy control individuals. Their YKL-40 serum levels were analyzed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit method, while YKL-40 expression in muscle tissues was analyzed using an immunohistochemical technique. Disease status was assessed using the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) set scores. Results The patients’ mean age was 44.8 ± 11.8 years, and median disease duration was 1.5 (0.0–4.0) years. These patients were predominantly female (82.8%) and Caucasian (73.4%). Most patients had stable disease. The median YKL-40 serum level was significantly higher in patients with ASSD when compared to the healthy individuals: 538.4 (363.4–853.1) pg/mL versus 270.0 (201.8–451.9) pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.001. However, YKL-40 serum levels did not correlate with any clinical, laboratory, disease status, or therapeutic parameters (P > 0.050), except tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) serum levels (Spearman’s correlation, rho = 0.382; P = 0.007). YKL-40 was highly expressed by inflammatory cells found in muscle biopsy specimens. Conclusions High YKL-40 serum levels were observed in patients with ASSD and correlated positively with TNF-α serum levels. Moreover, YKL-40 was expressed by the inflammatory cells of the muscle tissue.

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BIOINFORMATICS: INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND ATTENUATION OF DIABETES HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA-INDUCED RENAL INJURY USING MORNING GLORY AND NECKLACE POD EXTRACTS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i11.20119 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 347 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hanan F Aly ◽

Howaida I Abd-alla ◽

Sanaa A Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Adhesion Molecule ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Morning Glory ◽

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Activation Markers ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Α Level

Objective: The present research in bioinformatics focuses on pharmacological effects of morning glory and necklace pod ethanolic extracts (MGE and NPE) on some biochemical parameters in high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats.Methods: Compared to atorvastatin; an anti-hypercholesterolemic (HC) and glibenclamide; an antidiabetic drug. Endothelium activation markers of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Creatinine, urea, and inflammatory biomarkers; C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels were also measured in serum of different therapeutic groups.Results: Significant decrease in ICAM-1 level with MGE and NPE supplemented to normal rats as compared to untreated control with percentages decrease 17.80 and 12.00% was observed. Insignificant change was detected in VCAM-1 level. Profound amelioration in CRP, total urea and creatinine levels by NPE treatment. Creatinine, urea, CRP, and TNF-α level were significantly increased in hyperglycemic (HG)-HC rats. However, IL-10 level showed a significant decrease. Meanwhile, histopathological investigation of the kidney and heart was carried out. Image recognition system for kidney and heart images was developed to diagnose their diseases. Tested extract attenuated creatinine, urea, CRP, and TNF-α level. Hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia linked kidney disorders were relieved.Conclusion: In vivo oral administration with each extract declared suppression of cytokines mediated inflammation, vascular function leading to infiltration reduction of renal macrophage together with lowering in kidney indices and ameliorate renal tissues architectures in HG-HC rats.

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Assessment of tumor necrosis factor- alpha in gingivitis and periodontitis patients

International Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.14419/ijdr.v5i2.7874 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 108 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sajeev Shrestha ◽

Manisha Neupane ◽

Shivalal Sharma ◽

Madhab Lamsal

Keyword(s):

Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Pocket Depth ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Factor Alpha ◽

Necrosis Factor

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α, one of the cytokines, is released in various chronic inflammatory diseases including periodontitis.Aims: To estimate the level of Tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) in gingivitis and periodontitis patientsSettings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 75 patients were recruited by purposive sampling technique among the patients visiting the Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology during the period one year from August 2014 to July 2015.Material and methods: The recruited samples were divided into gingivitis and periodontitis groups based on clinical attachment level (CAL). A periodontitis subject was defined as having at least 4 sites with pocket depth (PD) >3mm and at least 4 sites with CAL>3 mm, while gingivitis group included the subjects having no CAL measurements greater than 3 mm with signs of inflammation. The TNF-α level was measured using the RayBio Human TNF-alpha ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit.Results: The Median TNF-α interquartile range (IQR) (minimum-maximum) in gingivitis and periodontitis was 58.37 (32.63 – 198.77) and 111.89 (39.27 – 215.0) pg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The level of TNF-α was found to be higher in periodontitis group compared to gingivitis group, although the result was not statistically significant.

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Higher anticholinergic burden from medications is associated with significant increase in markers of inflammation in the EPIC-Norfolk prospective population-based cohort study

10.22541/au.162273979.95865645/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

RIA SANGHAVI ◽

Tiberiu Pana ◽

Hulkar Mamayusuppova ◽

Ian Maidment ◽

Chris Fox ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Population Based ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Anticholinergic Medications ◽

Markers Of Inflammation ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Anticholinergic Burden

Background: Higher anticholinergic burden from medications is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive function decline. A mechanistic pathway has never been established. We aimed to determine whether chronic inflammation may mediate these associations. Methods: Participants were drawn from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, Norfolk cohort (40-79 years at baseline). The anticholinergic cognitive burden score (ACB) was calculated at baseline/first (1HC) (1993/97) and second (2HC) (1998/2000) health checks. Plasma fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured during 1HC and Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) during 2HC. Cross-sectional associations between ACB and inflammatory markers were examined for 1HC and 2HC, respectively. The prospective association was also examined between 1HC ACB and 2HC inflammatory markers. All models adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle factors, co-morbidities and medications. Results: 17,678 and 22,051 participants were included in cross-sectional analyses for CRP, and fibrinogen, respectively. A total of 5,101 participants with available data for TNF-α and IL-6 were included in the longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectionally, a point increase in the ACB was associated with a significant increase in all inflammatory markers (beta (standard error): fibrinogen – 0.035g/l (0.006), p<0.001; CRP 0.284mg/l (0.044), p<0.001; TNF-α 0.031pg/ml (0.010), p=0.002; and IL-6 0.112pg/ml (0.033), p=0.001. Longitudinally, a unit increase in the ACB was associated with a significant increase in TNF-α 0.028pg/ml (0.011), p=0.013 and IL-6 0.076 pg/ml (0.035), p=0.029. Conclusion: Higher anticholinergic burden was significantly associated with higher inflammatory markers. Inflammation may mediate the relationship between exposure to anticholinergic medications and adverse outcomes

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Heat-killed probiotic bacteria differentially regulate colonic epithelial cell production of human β-defensin-2: dependence on inflammatory cytokines

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2013.0061 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 483-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

N. Habil ◽

W. Abate ◽

J. Beal ◽

A.D. Foey

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Probiotic Bacteria ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Probiotic Strains ◽

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The inducible antimicrobial peptide human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial products is essential to antipathogen responses of gut epithelial cells. Commensal and probiotic bacteria can augment such mucosal defences. Probiotic use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, however, may have adverse effects, boosting inflammatory responses. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of selected probiotic strains on hBD-2 production by epithelial cells induced by pathologically relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines and the role of cytokine modulators in controlling hBD-2. Caco-2 colonic intestinal epithelial cells were pre-incubated with heat-killed probiotics, i.e. Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) or Lactobacillus fermentum strain MS15 (LF), followed by stimulation of hBD-2 by interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the absence or presence of exogenous IL-10 or anti-IL-10 neutralising antibody. Cytokines and hBD-2 mRNA and protein were analysed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. LcS augmented IL-1β-induced hBD-2, whereas LF enhanced TNF-α- and suppressed IL-1β-induced hBD-2. LF enhanced TNF-α-induced TNF-α and suppressed IL-10, whereas augmented IL-1β-induced IL-10. LcS upregulated IL-1β-induced TNF-α mRNA and suppressed IL-10. Endogenous IL-10 differentially regulated hBD-2; neutralisation of IL-10 augmented TNF-α- and suppressed IL-1β-induced hBD-2. Exogenous IL-10, however, suppressed both TNF-α- and IL-1β-induced hBD-2; LcS partially rescued suppression in TNF-α- and IL-1β-stimulation, whereas LF further suppressed IL-1β-induced hBD-2. It can be concluded that probiotic strains differentially regulate hBD-2 mRNA expression and protein secretion, modulation being dictated by inflammatory stimulus and resulting cytokine environment.

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Tear Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Keratoconus: A Meta-Analysis of Case-Control and Cross-Sectional Studies

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/6628923 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Huan Zhang ◽

Xiupeng Cao ◽

Ying Liu ◽

Peihong Wang ◽

Xuan Li

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Interleukin 10 ◽

Interleukin 4 ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Significant Difference

Purpose. To assess the tear levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with keratoconus (KC). Design. Systemic review and meta-analysis. Methods. The following electronic databases and search engine were searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. A systematic search of all relevant studies published through January 2021 was conducted, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of cytokine levels were calculated to estimate the pooled effects. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and metaregression were applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Results. A total of 7 studies with 374 participants (374 eyes) from clinical studies were included. The tear levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly increased in KC compared with normal controls. The SMD of IL-1β was 1.93 (95% CI 0.22 to 3.65, P = 0.03 ). The SMD of IL-6 was 1.22 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.84, P < 0.001 ). The SMD of TNF-α was 1.75 (95% CI 0.66 to 2.83, P = 0.002 ). There was no significant difference between the two groups on interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). The SMD for IL-4 was 2.36 (95% CI -0.28 to 5.00, P = 0.08 ) and for IL-10 was 0.30 (95% CI -1.29 to 1.89, P = 0.71 ). Meta-regression analysis indicated that the heterogeneity maybe significantly correlated with the method of detection, the different ages, and the source of population. Conclusions. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased, indicating that cytokine profile changed in KC tears and inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of KC.

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Inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human muscle stem cells ameliorate ulcerative colitis via the IDO-TSG6 axis

Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13287-020-02118-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shengchao Zhang ◽

Jiankai Fang ◽

Zhanhong Liu ◽

Pengbo Hou ◽

Lijuan Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Human Muscle ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Muscle Stem Cells ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are absolutely required for the formation, repair, and regeneration of skeletal muscle tissue. Increasing evidence demonstrated that tissue stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can exert therapeutic effects on various degenerative and inflammatory disorders based on their immunoregulatory properties. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) treated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were reported to possess anti-inflammatory functions by producing TNF-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6). However, whether human muscle stem cells (hMuSCs) also possess TSG-6 mediated anti-inflammatory functions has not been explored. Methods The ulcerative colitis mouse model was established by subjecting mice to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days. hMuSCs were pretreated with IFN-γ and TNF-α for 48 h and were then transplanted intravenously at day 2 of DSS administration. Body weights were monitored daily. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and TSG-6 in hMuSCs were knocked down with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. Colon tissues were collected for length measurement and histopathological examination. The serum level of IL-6 in mice was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate gene expression. Results hMuSCs treated with inflammatory factors significantly ameliorated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms. IDO and TSG-6 were greatly upregulated and required for the beneficial effects of hMuSCs on IBD. Mechanistically, the tryptophan metabolites, kynurenine (KYN) or kynurenic acid (KYNA) produced by IDO, augmented the expression of TSG-6 through activating their common receptor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Conclusion Inflammatory cytokines-treated hMuSCs can alleviate DSS-induced colitis through IDO-mediated TSG-6 production.

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The Role of TNF-α and Anti-TNF-α Agents during Preconception, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22062922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 2922

Author(s):

Katarzyna Romanowska-Próchnicka ◽

Anna Felis-Giemza ◽

Marzena Olesińska ◽

Piotr Wojdasiewicz ◽

Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

First Trimester ◽

Endocrine Function ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Hormone Synthesis ◽

Migratory Activity ◽

Immune System Diseases ◽

Tnf Α ◽

The Impact ◽

In Pregnancy

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a multifunctional Th1 cytokine and one of the most important inflammatory cytokines. In pregnancy, TNF-α influences hormone synthesis, placental architecture, and embryonic development. It was also shown that increased levels of TNF-α are associated with pregnancy loss and preeclampsia. Increased TNF-α levels in complicated pregnancy draw attention to trophoblast biology, especially migratory activity, syncytialisation, and endocrine function. Additionally, elevated TNF-α levels may affect the maternal-fetal relationship by altering the secretory profile of placental immunomodulatory factors, which in turn affects maternal immune cells. There is growing evidence that metabolic/pro-inflammatory cytokines can program early placental functions and growth in the first trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, early pregnancy placenta has a direct impact on fetal development and maternal immune system diseases that release inflammatory (e.g., TNF-α) and immunomodulatory factors, such as chronic inflammatory rheumatic, gastroenterological, or dermatological diseases, and may result in an abnormal release of cytokines and chemokines in syncytiotrophoblasts. Pregnancy poses a challenge in the treatment of chronic disease in patients who plan to have children. The activity of the disease, the impact of pregnancy on the course of the disease, and the safety of pharmacotherapy, including anti-rheumatic agents, in pregnancy should be considered.

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Alterations of serum levels of plasminogen, TNF-α, and IDO in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients

Vascular ◽

10.1177/1708538120986305 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812098630

Author(s):

Dobroslav Kyurkchiev ◽

Tsvetelina Yoneva ◽

Adelina Yordanova ◽

Ekaterina Kurteva ◽

Georgi Vasilev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis ◽

Renal Involvement ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Spearman's Rho ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Spearman’S Rho

Background Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a representative of vasculitides associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies. “Classical” antibodies directed against proteinase 3 are involved in the pathogenesis and are part of the GPA diagnosis at the same time. Along with them, however, antibodies against Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein-2 (LAMP-2) and antibodies directed against plasminogen have been described in GPA. Objectives and methodology: We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling 34 patients diagnosed with GPA. Our study was aimed at looking for correlations between serum levels of LAMP-2 and plasminogen and the clinical manifestations of the GPA. Furthermore, we examined serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its associated indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), as well as we looked for a correlation between these cytokines and the clinical manifestations of GPA. Results The results showed that in GPA, serum plasminogen levels were negatively associated with renal involvement (receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78) (95% CI 0.53–0.91), p = 0.035, and the extent of proteinuria, Spearman’s Rho = –0.4, p = 0.015. Increased levels of TNF-α and IDO correlated with disease activity, Spearman’s Rho =0.62, p = 0.001 and Spearman’s Rho = 0.4, p = 0.022, respectively, whereas only TNF-α was increased in severe forms of GPA with lung involvement (ROC AUC of 0.8) (95% CI 0.66–0.94), p = 0.005. Conclusions In this study, we demonstrate the alteration of soluble factors, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of GPA and their relationship with the clinical manifestations of the disease. Our main results confirm the associations of increased secretory TNF-α and some clinical manifestations, and we describe for the first time decreased serum plasminogen levels and their association with renal involvement.

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Age and Sport Intensity-Dependent Changes in Cytokines and Telomere Length in Elite Athletes

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10071035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1035

Author(s):

Maha Sellami ◽

Shamma Al-muraikhy ◽

Hend Al-Jaber ◽

Hadaia Al-Amri ◽

Layla Al-Mansoori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Age Groups ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Background: Exercise-associated immune response plays a crucial role in the aging process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sport intensity on cytokine levels, oxidative stress markers and telomere length in aging elite athletes. Methods: In this study, 80 blood samples from consenting elite athletes were collected for anti-doping analysis at an anti-doping laboratory in Italy (FMSI). Participants were divided into three groups according to their sport intensity: low-intensity skills and power sports (LI, n = 18); moderate-intensity mixed soccer players (MI, n = 31); and high-intensity endurance sports (HI, n = 31). Participants were also divided into two age groups: less than 25 (n = 45) and above 25 years old (n = 35). Serum levels of 10 pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and two antioxidant enzymes were compared in age and sport intensity groups and telomere lengths were measured in their respective blood samples. Results: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was the only cytokine showing significantly higher concentration in older athletes, regardless of sport intensity. Interleukin (IL)-10 increased significantly in HI regardless of age group, whereas IL-6 concentration was higher in the older HI athletes. IL-8 showed a significant interaction with sport intensity in different age groups. Overall, significant positive correlations among levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-8 and TNF-α were identified. The antioxidant catalase activity was positively correlated with levels of TNF-α. Telomere length increased significantly with sport intensity, especially in the younger group. Conclusion: HI had longer telomeres and higher levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting less aging in HI compared to low and moderate counterparts in association with heightened immune response. Investigation of the functional significance of these associations on the health and performance of elite athletes is warranted.

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