Metabolic syndrome is characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and chroniclow-grade inflammation. The effects of an exercise test at 60–70% of the maximum capacity wasevaluated on inflammatory and antioxidant response in elderly people suffering from metabolicsyndrome. Exercise induced significant increases in plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines andmalondialdehyde. The expression of these cytokines and antioxidant enzymes were also increasedin peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alphawere unchanged. In conclusion, the exercise test induces a situation of oxidative stress thatpromotes the activation of a proinflammatory cytokine cascade.
