Role of interleukin-6 and interleukin-15 in exercise

Cytokines are released by numerous body tissues to control and coordinate immune responses. However, the role of these molecules in the skeletal muscle has received growing interest. Researchers have demonstrated that contracting skeletal muscle may synthesize and release interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) in response to the exercise. These cytokines potentially have anabolic effects in human skeletal muscle and can be associated with hypertrophic processes.