Sleep quality and cytokine expression after an exhaustive exercise: influence of ACE polymorphism I/D

Strenuous exercise affects immune system and stimulates the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the anti-inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin 10 (IL-10). IL-6 and IL-10 fluctuations can influence sleep quality. Many genetic tracts influence the immune system response to exercise. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs1799752) is one of the most investigated genetic variants correlated to the physical performance and immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate: (a) the response to an exhaustive strength exercise in terms of IL-6 and IL-10 expression in relation to ACE polymorphisms; and (b) the sleep behavior in response to an exhaustive strength exercise in relation to ACE polymorphisms. All participants were subjected to the following procedures: (a) genotyping of ACE polymorphism, (b) assay cytokine expression (IL-6 and IL-10) pre- and post-exhaustive exercise, and (c) evaluation of sleep parameters pre- and post-exhaustive exercise by actigraphy. We showed that after the exhaustive exercise: (a) the ACE I/I, I/D, and D/D genotypes underwent an increase in IL-6 expression (p < 0.05); (b) only I/I and I/D genotypes increased significantly the IL-10 expression (p < 0.05); and (c) D/D genotypes showed a deterioration of sleep parameters: Sleep Efficiency and Immobile Time decreased (p < 0.05) while Moving Time increased (p < 0.01); the I/I and I/D genotypes showed no changes in sleep parameters. The increase of IL-10 observed in I/I and I/D genotypes could play a protective role on sleep. The ACE D/D genotype seems to be more exposed to sleep disturbance after exercise.