Changes of blood myokine levels following human skeletal muscle contraction using belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a myokine secreted from skeletal muscle fibers by the stimulation of muscle contraction. IL-6 then acts on skeletal muscle itself or on remote organs through the blood circulation, resulting in various health benefits.

The quantity of mobilized muscle, exercise intensity, and exercise time are deeply involved in the rise of blood IL-6 levels. In this study, we investigated whether high sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, were produced in humans by muscle contraction due to electrical stimulation. Six healthy men underwent 20 min of belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation. No time-dependent changes in IL-6, IL-10, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed. These results suggest that blood myokines do not increase in response to standard electrical stimulation.