Interleukin-6 mediates exercise-induced increase in insulin sensitivity in mice.

• Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is released from working skeletal muscle during exercise. We investigated the acute and the long-term beneficial effects of IL-6 on exercise-induced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and insulin sensitivity. The acute effect on exercise-induced glucose uptake was measured in IL-6 deficient (-/-) mice and wild type controls using a tracer technique. There was no difference in serum disappearance of 3H-2-deoxyglucose after a bolus dose of exercise between IL-6 -/- and wild type mice (13565 ± 426 vs. 14343 ± 1309 dpm*min/ml, p=0.5). The glucose uptake rate in the EDL muscle was however lower in IL-6 -/- compared to wildtype mice (398 ± 44 vs. 657 ± 41 nmol/g/min, p<0.01). In the long-term study, we monitored insulin sensitivity, serum retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) levels, running activity, food intake, body weight and body composition in IL-6 -/- and wild type mice on a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without access to running wheels. In sedentary IL-6 -/- and wild type mice, HFD decreased insulin sensitivity (glucose AUC increased about 20% during an insulin tolerance test (ITT), p<0.05 for both genotypes vs. baseline) and led to a 30% increase in serum RBP-4 levels (p <0.01 for both genotypes vs. baseline). Wild type runners were protected against these effects of HFD and maintained their baseline insulin sensitivity and serum RBP-4 levels. In contrast, IL-6 -/- mice did not, to the same extent as wild types, benefit from running. IL-6 -/- runners had a similar decrease in insulin sensitivity as their sedentary littermates (glucose AUC during an ITT in runners vs. sedentary IL-6-/- HFD mice: 312 ± 14 vs. 340 ± 22 mmol*min/L, p=0.4) and displayed a 14% increase in serum RBP-4 as compared to baseline levels (p<0.01). Our results indicate that endogenous IL-6 contributes to the exercise-induced increase in insulin sensitivity, but only plays a minor role for glucose uptake into skeletal muscle during exercise.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)