The effect of physical activity on cytokine levels in adults living with type 1 diabetes—a preliminary study

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate whether physical activity and the level of body fat are factors reducing the level of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in people with T1DM. Twenty‐five men (27.8 ± 9.4 years old; 178.9 ± 6.9 cm; 80.6 ± 12 kg) and 18 women (28.1 ± 12.5 years old; 162.4 ± 5.5; 63.1 ± 9.9 kg) were divided into four groups based on body fat percentage and level of physical activity (AN—active people with normal body fat; IAN—inactive people with normal body fat; AO—active people with excessive body fat, IAO—inactive people with excessive body fat). The level of cytokines in the blood serum was assessed. The level of IL‐8 was higher (measurable) in inactive men, regardless of adiposity degree and in women, only in the inactive group with normal body fat. IL‐6 was found only in active men with excessive adiposity. In conclusion, the findings from this study allow to indicate that moderate level of physical activity may contribute to a reduction in the development of systemic low‐grade inflammation in patients with T1DM, and thus, may reduce the risk of CVD.