Authors
Landon S. Deru, [1]Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, [2]Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
Austin F. Duersch, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Spencer C. Cleverly, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Hunter D. Chamberlain, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Elizabeth Z. Gipson, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Parker G. Graves, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Cameron G. Jacobsen, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Larry A. Tucker, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Bruce W. Bailey, Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1252-1268, 2025.
DOI: 10.70252/APHT9483
Abstract
The object was to assess the effects of adding exercise to a 36-hour fast on the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. The study was a randomized crossover design with counterbalanced conditions in community members living near a single academic institution. Participants included twenty healthy adults (11 male). The intervention consisted of two 36-h water-only fasts, one of which was initiated with a bout of treadmill exercise. Venous blood was taken at baseline, 12-h, 24-h, and 36-h of fasting. Area under the curve and timepoint analyses were computed. The area under the curve for MCP-1 was 210.4 ± 61.4 pg/ml higher in the fasting combined with exercise condition compared to fasting alone (F = 4.69, p = 0.04). No difference between conditions was observed in areas under the curve for IL-6 (F = 0.02, p = 0.88) or TNF-α (F = 3.74, p = 0.06). MCP-1 concentrations decreased over the course of both conditions (F=19.77, p < 0.01) with much of the reduction taking place between hours 12 and 24 (F=19.77, p < 0.01). Concentrations of IL-6 remained unchanged (F = 0.85, p = 0.48) while TNF-α increased (F=8.60, p < 0.05) in both conditions. A single fast has a mixed impact on the cytokines MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-6. MCP-1 decreases, while TNF-α fluctuates in a diurnal pattern, and IL-6 experiences no change during a water-only fast. Adding exercise to the beginning of a fast diminishes the decline in MCP-1 but has no impact on TNF-α or IL-6.
Recommended Citation
Deru, Landon S.; Duersch, Austin F.; Cleverly, Spencer C.; Chamberlain, Hunter D.; Gipson, Elizabeth Z.; Graves, Parker G.; Jacobsen, Cameron G.; Tucker, Larry A.; Bailey, Bruce W. (2025) “The Effects of Combined Fasting and Exercise on Inflammatory Cytokine Concentrations in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 18 : Iss. 6, Pages 1252-1268.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/APHT9483