Plasma Concentrations of Select Inflammatory Cytokines Predicts Pain Intensity 48 Hours Post-Shoulder Muscle Injury

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Immunology
• Pain Research

Background:

• The link between inflammatory cytokines and pain intensity after acute musculoskeletal injury is not fully understood, especially in high-risk groups.
• Understanding cytokine roles in pain responses could lead to targeted therapies for musculoskeletal injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between specific inflammatory cytokine levels and pain intensity following exercise-induced muscle injury in a high-risk cohort.
• To identify potential cytokine biomarkers for predicting pain responses and recovery.

Main Methods:

• Collected pain and blood samples from 54 participants before and at 24/48 hours after exercise-induced shoulder muscle injury.
• Measured plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α.
• Used Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple linear regression to analyze cytokine-pain relationships.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between several cytokines and both resting and active pain intensity.
• Baseline and 48-hour IL-10 levels predicted active and resting pain intensity at 48 hours post-injury.
• 48-hour IL-6 and IL-10 levels were associated with active and resting pain, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Elevated IL-10 (baseline and 48h) and IL-6 (48h) concentrations are associated with heightened pain responses after exercise-induced muscle injury.
• These cytokines may be key players in modulating pain perception and recovery in this context.