• Mozaffer Rahim Hingorjo, Sitwat Zehra, Saima Saleem, and Masood Anwar Qureshi.
• Prof. Mozaffer Rahim Hingorjo, FCPS. Department of Physiology, Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2018 Sep 1; 34 (5): 1125-1131.

ObjectiveThe myokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) is capable of modifying the metabolism of both skeletal and adipose tissue. This study compares the change in serum levels of IL-15 in obese and non-obese after a single session of submaximal exercise.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out at Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, during Aug-Dec 2015, comprising of 133 medical students (aged 17-24 years). Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated by Queen's College Step Test. Blood was obtained both before and just after exercise and serum levels of IL-15 determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsMean serum level of IL-15 was 3.64±1.59 pg/mL. Higher levels of IL-15 were seen in lean subjects compared to overweight/obese, both before and after three minutes of exercise (all Ptrend<.001). The percent increase in IL-15 upon exercise was 12.7% higher in lean. Significant negative association was seen between interleukin-15 and adiposity, especially visceral fat (r = -.288, p=.001).ConclusionInterleukin-15 correlates negatively with adiposity indices, especially visceral fat. With the proven benefit of IL-15 in terms of adipose tissue stores and skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis, endurance exercises, even of short duration, may possess therapeutic potential towards producing a healthier body.

4 keywords...

hide…