Provisional Designation of the Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R) as a Novel Marker Gene for Exercise Tolerance

Objectives: Genomic markers linked to exercise-associated health benefits and/or sporting performance are increasingly used guide decision-making in healthcare and sport/exercise science. This project investigated whether the IL-6R SNP “rs2228145” might be provisionally designated a novel physical activity/exercise marker. rs2228145 results an Aspartate358/Alanine358 change adjacent site where protein is cleaved into two fragments, resulting ~two-fold increases blood-borne levels of soluble [‘sIL-6R’].Methods: Cohorts staff/students at Cardiff Metropolitan University donated/completed: [i] finger-prick capillary blood samples (subjected ELISAs for sIL-6R, associated signalling sgp130, IL-6/sIL-6R complex); [ii] cheek-swab containing buccal epithelial cell DNA PCR-based IL-6R/rs2228145 genotyping assays); [iii] International Physical Activity Questionnaires (to estimate activity week preceding sample donation).Results: As expected, we observed significant genotype-dependent differences sIL-6R (CC (44.1±21.7ng/mL) vs. AC (28.6±7.3ng/mL) AA (19.9±6.5ng/mL; P<0.05)); Importantly, homozygotes undertook significantly more than heterozygotes (6318±899 v. 3904±2280 MET-mins/week; P<0.01). Genotype was with (P<0.05), (P=0.197) sgp130 (P=0.160) showed non-significant correlations levels.Conclusions: These data suggest that genotype may influence participation activity/exercise, perhaps by impacting on abilities tolerate without experiencing adverse-effects. Although research required confirm these preliminary findings, designation as marker, determination participants’ genotypes, future useful tools aid exercise-providers designing personalised exercise programmes matched clients/patients.