Cytokine-Metabolic Pathway Impact Analysis Following Different Degrees of Cold-Water Immersion Post Exercise and Rest in Humans, 2024, Adebowale

Abstract:

This study aimed to identify signalling and metabolic pathways significantly impacted by alterations in cytokine and metabolic levels in response to acute cold exposure (CWI) following rest and exercise. In line with some previous studies, acute exposure to cold and exercise significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, with a greater effect on cytokines than on metabolites. Other possible mechanisms for this reduction including catecholamines inhibition of cytokine release through the activation of beta-adrenergic receptors on macrophages were identified. Furthermore, it was observed that fitness has an even greater influence on cytokine-metabolic alterations following CWI than exercise. Overall, this study demonstrated that CWI may have some positive effect on immunity (reduced inflammatory state), at least in the short term.

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(Just to be clear I’m not sharing this because I think cold water immersion helps ME, it probably leads to PEM, but because the impacts of exertion and stressors on the immune system is very interesting and might gives clues towards PEM mechanisms)