Fig. 1

Crosstalk between skeletal muscle doing exercise, adipose tissue, and intestinal inflammation The hypothesis in this study is based on the suggested mechanism of crosstalk between skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and inflammation in the gut by Jan Bilski and colleagues [5]. Pathologically modified visceral adipose tissue has been demonstrated to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a. Exercise may exert its anti-inflammatory response via a reduction in visceral fat mass and by inhibition of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines and myokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) from contracting muscles [5]. It has further been suggested that the effect of physical activity could depend on its intensity, duration, and type of exercise, with regular exercise being beneficial, while acute, strenuous exercise could lead to a release of inflammatory cytokines [5, 39]. But still, these mechanisms are not fully understood, and exercise such as running has also been found to induce increases in IL-6 [24, 40]. Note: Created with BioRender.com