CYTOKINE LEVELS DURING PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND WITH THE USE OF MELDONIUM

Abstract

Signaling molecules (cytokines) play a key role in communication between cells in the immune system. The main cytokines involved in extracellular matrix remodeling include interleukins and TNF-α. IL-6, 18 act as pro-inflammatory, and the cytokine IL-10 is anti-inflammatory. TNF-α stimulates the production of IL-1, IL-6, IL-18. The cytokine IL-10 affects immunoregulation and inflammation. In recent years, there has been a search for therapeutic agents to correct the cytokine profile. Meldonium is a drug with a broad spectrum of action. The aim of the study was to study the level of IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α during physical activity and when using meldonium. Material and methods. The experiment was conducted in two stages: the first, when the animals performed physical activity without the use of meldonium (n = 36); the second - swimming was performed and meldonium was used at the same time (n=36). A total of 10 swimming sessions were conducted. Meldonium was added to the food of the experimental animals for 10 days. The animals were taken out of the experiment immediately after the end of the last session of water load and 30 days after the end of the experiments. The concentration of IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α was determined in the blood plasma.

Results. With heavy physical activity without the use of meldonium, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-18 increased immediately after the experiment and 30 days after the end of the experiments, the level of IL-10 decreased. The use of meldonium during heavy physical activity immediately after the end of the experiment led to a decrease in the level of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-18, and the concentration of IL-10 in the blood plasma increased. 30 days after the end of the experiments, the studied cytokines approached the numbers of the intact group.

Conclusion. Heavy physical exertion (without the use of meldonium) led to a disruption in the cytokine profile - the concentration of cytokines changed: TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18. Under the conditions of meldonium use, an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine - IL-10 was noted with a systemic decrease in the level of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18.