The Impact of Moderate or High-Intensity Combined Exercise on Systemic Inflammation among Older Persons with and without HIV

Background: We investigated whether higher-intensity exercise provided greater decrease in markers of inflammation, and whether responses differed by HIV serostatus. Methods: People with HIV (PWH; n = 32) and controls (n = 37) aged 50-75 years completed 12 weeks moderate-intensity exercise, then were randomized to moderate-or high-intensity exercise for 12 additional weeks (n = 27 and 29, respectively). Inflammation biomarkers were measured at 0, 12, 24 weeks. Mixed and multiple regression models were adjusted for baseline inflammation, age, and body mass index. Results: Baseline tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble TNF receptor 2 (sTNFR2), and soluble CD14 (sCD14) were significantly higher among PWH than controls (P <. 04). From week 0-12, changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-α, and sTNFR1 were not significantly different by HIV serostatus. We found no significant interaction between HIV serostatus/exercise intensity on week 12-24 changes in IL-6, TNF-α, and sTNFR1. Among high-intensity exercisers, PWH and controls had significant increases in sCD14 (P ≤. 003), controls significant increases in IL-10 (P =. 01), and PWH nonsignificant decrease in highly sensitive C-reactive protein (P =. 07). Other markers were not significantly different by serostatus or intensity. Conclusions: Moderate and high-intensity exercise elicited similar effects on inflammation among PWH and controls, with additional beneficial effects seen among high-intensity exercisers. Increase in sCD14 and attenuated IL-10 increase (PWH only) merit further study. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02404792.