Cytokines and Growth Factors during and after a Wrestling Season in Adolescent Boys

Purpose: Brief periods of aerobic exercise training lead to reductions, rather then the expected increases in circulating IGF-I. We hypothesized that intense exercise training in adolescents initially leads to simultaneous increases in proinflammatory cytokines and decreases in activity of the GH/ IGF-I axis; and that as exercise training proceeds, levels of proinflammatory cytokines become reduced, and a rebound in IGF-I ensues leading to the higher IGF-I levels. Method: To test this, we evaluated the GH/IGF-I axis and levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1ra), body composition, and fitness in 13 healthy adolescent boys (mean age 15.9 ± 0.3 yr) over the course of a high-school wrestling season. Subjects were tested preseason, midseason (6 wk), peak season (12-14 wk), and 4 wk postseason. Results: No significant weight loss was noted throughout the season. During the wrestling season (mid and peak) both total (P < 0.046) and free (P < 0.002) IGF-I levels decreased, whereas proinflammatory cytokines (IL-Ira, P < 0.005; IGFBP-1, P < 0.013; and IGFBP-2, P < 0.025) increased. GHBP (P < 0.018) levels also decreased during the season. In the postseason, there were significant increases in GHBP, and free and total IGF-I, whereas proinflammatory cytokines decreased. Conclusions: An initial catabolic-type hormonal response occurs with intense exercise training in adolescents. This is followed by a rebound in circulating growth factors when the period of heavy training ceases.