Objectives: This study investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle phases on cortisol levels before and after a maximal incremental exercise test in women with and without premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: Nineteen healthy, active and eumenorrheic women completed five maximal incremental exercise tests; three of those were performed at specific phases of the menstrual cycle (i.e., menses, follicular, and luteal). The participants were allocated into two groups according to the presence of PMS (n = 11) or absence of PMS (NO-PMS, n = 8). Samples of blood were collected before and after each experimental test. A three-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the differences between menstrual cycle phases (i.e., menses, follicular, and luteal), time (before and after) and groups (PMS and NO-PMS). Results: The results demonstrated an alteration of cortisol across the menstrual cycle, with cortisol levels significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the follicular phase (mean = 11.0 µg/dL, CI95% = 9.1, 12.9) compared to the luteal phase (mean = 8.6 µg/dL, CI95% = 7.2, 10.4) in the PMS and NO-PMS groups. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in cortisol levels for groups or time. Conclusions: This study observed significant cortisol fluctuations across the menstrual cycle phases in women with and without PMS. Future studies should consider alternative maximal incremental test protocols and incorporate a more comprehensive hormonal profile to provide a deeper physiological understanding of this population.

Atmospheric pollution can be defined as a set of changes that occur in the composition of the air, making it unsuitable and/or harmful and thereby generating adverse effects on human health. The regular practice of physical exercise (PE) is associated with the preservation and/or improvement of health; however, it can be influenced by neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms and external factors such as air pollution, highlighting the need for studies involving the practice of PE in polluted environments. Herein, 24 male C57BL/6 mice were evaluated, distributed into four groups (exposed to a high concentration of pollutants/sedentary, exposed to a high concentration of pollutants/exercised, exposed to ambient air/sedentary, and exposed to ambient air/exercised). The exposure to pollutants occurred in the environmental particle concentrator (CPA) and the physical training was performed on a treadmill specially designed for use within the CPA. Pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF), BALF cellularity, and lung tissue were evaluated. Although the active group exposed to a high concentration of pollution showed a greater inflammatory response, both the correlation analysis and the ratio between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines demonstrated that the exercised group presented greater anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting a protective/adaptative effect of exercise when carried out in a polluted environment.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of oral L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation, associated or not with the regular practice of combined-exercise training (CET), on glycemic and lipid profile and systemic inflammatory status in elderly subjects. METHODS: 84 elderly subjects, non-practitioners (NP, n=31) and practitioners of CET (n=53), were supplemented with Gln [0.3g/kg of weight plus 10g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-Gln (n=14), and CET-Gln (n=26)], or placebo [10g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-PL (n=17), and CET-PL (n=27)]. Anthropometric and physical data were assessed. Blood sampling was collected pre and post-30 days of supplementation. RESULTS: NP subgroups showed higher BMI and serum IL-6 levels than CET subgroups before and post-supplementation. Higher serum levels of IL-10 with lower IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were observed post-supplementation in the CET-Gln subgroup than pre-supplementation. When the volunteers were separated according to their BMI, higher IL-6 levels were found in all obese (OB) subgroups than in the adequate weight (AW) subgroups before supplementation. This difference was not maintained between OB CET-Gln and AW CET-Gln subgroups post-supplementation. Higher levels of IL-10 with lower IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were found in the OB CET-Gln subgroup post-supplementation than pre-supplementation. No differences were found in the glycemic and lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Oral Gln supplementation when associated with the regular practice of CET can modulate the systemic inflammatory status, especially in obese elderly subjects.

Background: Although glutamine is able to improve the immune response, its action in the upper airway immunity against the influenza virus vaccine remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the L-glutamine supplementation effect on the mucosal immune/inflammatory response of elderly subjects vaccinated against the influenza virus. Methods: Saliva sampling from 83 physically active elderly volunteers were collected pre- and 30 days after influenza virus vaccination and supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln, n = 42) or placebo (PL, n = 41). Results: Gln group showed higher salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-17, total secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and specific-SIgA post-vaccination than values found pre-vaccination and in the PL group post-vaccination. Whereas higher salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed post-vaccination in the Gln group, IL-37 levels were lower post-vaccination in both groups than the values pre-vaccination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were unchanged. Positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-10 were found in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination and also between IL-17 and IL-6 or IL-10 in the Gln group post-vaccination. A negative correlation between IL-37 and IL-10 was found pre- and post-vaccination in the PL group. Conclusion: Gln supplementation was able to modulate salivary cytokine profile and increase SIgA levels, both total and specific to the influenza virus vaccine, in physically active elderly subjects.

L-glutamine (LG) supplementation boost the immune system and benefit elderly, who present immunosenescence. However, no study has evaluated its effects on the humoral immune response of upper airways of elderly. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of LG in elderly sedentary (Sed) and physically active (CET=combined-exercise training: aerobic+resistance exercise), supplemented or not with LG, on pulmonary function and the levels of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio in the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and in the saliva, as biomarkers of humoral immune response of upper airways. Four experimental groups were tested: Sed+Pl (n=15), Sed+LG (n=19), CET+Pl (n=26) and CET+LG (n=23), after 30 days of supplementation with L-glutamine (LG=0.3g/kg/day + 10g/day maltodextrin) or placebo (Pl=10g/day maltodextrin). No differences in forced vital capacity and in forced expiratory volume in the first second was observed among all groups. The levels of salivary IL-6 of Sed+Pl before supplementation and Sed-PI and Sed-LG after supplementation were lower, as well as the IL-10 levels of Sed groups (Sed and Sed+LG) before and after supplementation compared to CET groups. In a different way, it was observed higher levels of IL-6 in the NLF of Sed-Pl before supplementation and Sed-Pl and Sed-LG after supplementation compared to CET groups. The differences in the NLF IL-10 levels were like observed in saliva. On the other hand, the IL-6/IL-10 ratio were lower in the CET-Pl before and after supplementation and in the CET-LG after supplementation. In conclusion, LG supplementation improves the humoral immune response of upper airways of sedentary and physically active elderly.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a transient airway narrowing associated with physical activity, being more common among endurance athletes. Injury to the airway epithelium and greater airway eosinophilia have been found to be distinctive immunopathologic features of asthma with EIB, demonstrating an inflammatory basis of EIB A. In this context we aimed to investigate the association between EIB with airway inflammation in non-asthmatic marathon runners before and after a marathon race. There were recruited 39 volunteers and EIB was determined through spirometry test, before and after maximum effort. Groups were divided in EIB+ (n=9) and EIB- (n=28). The study of upper airway was by the count of neutrophils obtained by a nasal swab. Neutrophil % in nasal swab significantly increased after running in EIB+ subjects (p=0.036), whereas nasal swab in EIB- subjects showed decreased neutrophil counts after the race (p=0.007). The comparison between groups showed a difference in neutrophil percentage immediately after the marathon race (p=0.01). Lymphocyte percentage tended to decrease in EIB- subjects (p=0.052) but was stable in EIB+ subjects (p=0.7). In contrast, epithelial cells increased significantly in EIB- subjects (p<0.001) but remained stable in EIB+ subjects (p=0.527). The nasal neutrophil count, could also reflect neutrophil increase in the lower airways, as observed in elite athletes after intense exercise. In EIB- subjects, running a marathon increased nasal epithelial cell count, which could reflect epithelial shedding and suggesting that inflammation is an important mechanism linked to the pathogenesis of EIB without asthma.

The senescence naturally induces a decrease in the lung function and in the systemic immunity, while physical exercise can prevent and partially revert such status. However, whether the humoral immune response of upper airways is compromised and whether it could be modulated by an active physical lifestyle in elderly is unknown. Thus, this study compared the mucosal immune response of upper airways [saliva and nasal lavage fluid (NLF)] and lung function among sedentary and physically active elderly. Thirty-four sedentary elderly (Sed, 73±6 years old) and 49 active elderly [CET, combined-exercise training (aerobic and resistance), 71±5 years old] were evaluated. No differences were found in the forced vital capacity (FVC, p=0.8503), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1 - p=0.8550) and in the FEV1/FVC (p=0.6849). The Sed group presented lower levels of IL-10 (p=0.0257) and higher levels of IL-6 (p=0.0154) and IL-6/IL-10 ratio (p=0.0001) in the NLF compared to CET group. Interestingly, a contrary response was found in the saliva, where Sed group presented lower levels of IL-6 (p=0.0209) and IL-10 (p=0.001) compared with the CET group, without any difference for the IL-6/IL-10 ratio (p=0.5846). Therefore, we conclude that a physically active lifestyle in elderly using combined aerobic and resistance training did not modify the lung function, while only partially positively modulates the nasal mucosal immune response.

Although regular combined aerobic-resistance exercises can ameliorate the inflammatory status and redox balance in elderly population, it is unclear whether protein or specific amino acid supplementation could improve such benefits. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and redox indexes through of the saliva of 34 elderly subject nonpractitioners (NP group, 73.3±6.6 years) and 49 elderly subject practitioners of a combined-exercise training in moderate intensity (CET group, 71.9±5.8 years) before (pre) and after (post) 30 days of supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln) or placebo (PL). Our results showed that, both in pre- and postsupplementation, the salivary levels of nitric oxide (NO ⋅ ) and TNF- α were lower, whereas the levels of uric acid and IL-10 (as well as IL-10/TNF- α ratio) were higher in the CET groups than in the NP groups. In postsupplementation, both groups supplemented with Gln (NP-Gln and CET-Gln) showed higher salivary uric acid levels compared to baseline. In addition, lower NO ⋅ levels were found in the CET-Gln group postsupplementation than presupplementation values. Whereas the CET-Gln group showed lower GSH levels postsupplementation, NP-Gln subjects showed lower GSSG levels at the same time point, both compared to baseline. Interestingly, salivary peroxidase activity was lower only in NP groups (NP-PL and NP-Gln) postsupplementation than baseline values. A positive significant correlation between salivary peroxidase activity and GSH levels, and also between salivary peroxidase activity and uric acid levels were observed in the CET-Gln group both pre- and postsupplementation. No differences were found in albumin, total antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power analysis between groups, pre- or postsupplementation. In conclusion, the elderly subjects from the CET group showed a better inflammatory response and redox balance and, for the first time, it was shown that daily supplementation with Gln for 30 days can improve these benefits with putative association with a healthy aging.

At present, it is unclear which exercise-induced factors, such as myokines, could diminish the negative impact of the reduction in pulmonary function imposed by the exercise in question. In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and also to investigate the effect of myokines in the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB or not. Thirty-eight male recreational marathon runners (age 38.8 [33–44], height 175.7 [172.0–180.3]; weight 74.7 [69.3–81.6]) participated in this study, and through spirometry tests, a prevalence of 23.6% of EIB was found, which is in agreement with the literature. The volunteers who tested positive to EIB (EIB+) presented lower maximum aerobic capacity compared to those who tested negative (EIB−) (EIB+ 44.02 [39.56–47.02] and EIB− 47.62 [44.11–51.18] p = 0.03). The comparison of plasma levels of IL-1β (EIB+ p = 0.296, EIB− p = 0.176, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.190 immediately after p = 0.106), IL-4 (undetectable), IL-6 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.301 immediately after p = 0.614), IL-8 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.110 immediately after p = 0.453), IL-10 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.424 immediately after p = 0.876) and TNF-α (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.141 immediately after p = 0.898) were similar in both groups 24 h before and immediately after the marathon. However, negative correlations were found between the marathon finishing time and the levels of IL-8 (r = −0.81, p = 0.022), and IL-10 (r = −0.97, p ≤ 0.001) immediately after completing the marathon. In conclusion, for the first time, it is shown that the myokines IL-8 and IL-10 are related to improvement of the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB.

Nos centros urbanos, muitas doenças estão relacionadas à poluição do ar, sendo causa de aumento de morbidade e mortalidade. O desenvolvimento do Brasil, com o aumento do parque industrial, o crescimento da frota leve e pesada e a expansão da fronteira produtiva, levou a desafios para a determinação dos impactos da poluição à saúde humana. Em contraponto ao processo inflamatório sistêmico induzido pela exposição à poluição, alguns mecanismos anti-inflamatórios fisiológicos podem representar importantes moduladores da resposta à poluição, sendo um deles o treinamento físico que modula a resposta inflamatória inata e adquirida. De maneira geral, os efeitos protetores do treinamento físico aeróbio são mediados via interação dos sistemas imunológico e neuroendócrino e através de sinais moleculares na forma de hormônios, citocinas e neurotransmissores, havendo, conforme demonstrado por Sá, melhora das defesas de vias aéreas quando o exercício é praticado, mesmo em ambientes poluídos, porém havendo limitação da capacidade do exercício modular a resposta inflamatória em ambiente muito poluídos, de maneira que deve ser ressaltado que sempre devemos procurar praticar o exercício em horários e locais com o mínimo de poluição.

Physical exercise promotes many health benefits. However, its effects are not well known in a polluted environment. Thus, this study aimed to compare upper airway inflammatory responses between street runners and sedentary individuals. Twenty-eight volunteers were recruited: runners (n = 14) and sedentary individuals (n = 14), who lived and worked in the same metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. Particulate matter (PM) levels were monitored ten weeks before winter (low PM levels) and ten weeks after the beginning of winter (high PM levels) [PM10 (p < 0.0001) and PM2.5 (p < 0.0001)]. The cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) levels in the nasal lavage and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken at the beginning of the winter (baseline) and ten weeks afterwards (after ten weeks of high PM exposure). IL-6 concentration increased in both runners (p = 0.037) and sedentary individuals (p = 0.027) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. IL-10 concentration increased in sedentary individuals (p = 0.037) while IL-17A levels were increased in runners (p = 0.001) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. FeNO levels decreased in runners (p = 0.025) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. Outdoor endurance training acts as an inducer of a differentiated immune response in the upper airways of runners compared to individuals with a sedentary lifestyle from the same community after elevated PM exposure.

BACKGROUND:Since aging affects the immune responses against vaccination, the present study evaluated the effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation in the humoral and cellular immune responses in elderly subjects, practitioners or not, of physical exercise training.METHODS:Eighty-four elderly people (aged 72.6 ± 6.1), non-practitioners (NP, n = 31), and practitioners of combined-exercise training (CET, n = 53) were submitted to Influenza virus vaccination and supplemented with Gln (0.3 g/kg of weight + 10 g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-Gln (n = 14), and CET-Gln (n = 26)), or placebo (10 g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-PL (n = 17), and CET-PL (n = 27)). Blood samples were collected pre (baseline) and 30 days post-vaccination and supplementation.RESULTS:Comparing with the baseline values, whereas the NP-Gln and CET-PL groups showed higher specific-IgM levels, the CET-Gln group showed higher specific-IgM and IgA levels post-vaccination. The titer rate of hemagglutination inhibition was higher in the CET-Gln, NP-PL, and NP-Gln groups post-vaccination than baseline values. The absolute number of naive and effector CD4+ T cells was higher especially in the NP-Gln and CET-Gln groups, whilst activated CD4+ T cells were higher in CET subgroups post-vaccination.CONCLUSION:Our results showed that both l-glutamine supplementation and combined-exercise training can improve the immune responses to the Influenza virus vaccine in elderly subjects.

Brazil's development has been through to many challenges related to the impact of pollution on human health, it happened because the industrial park increased considerably and the growth of fleet's light and heavy and expansion of the productive frontier. In contrast to the induced systemic inflammatory process by pollution exposure, some physiological anti-inflammatory mechanisms may represent important modulators of the pollution response, being one of them the physical training that modulates the innate and acquired inflammatory response. In general, the protective effects of aerobic training are mediated via interaction of the immune and neuroendocrine systems through molecular signals in the form of hormones, cytokines and neurotransmitters. As shown by SAi, there’s na improvement in airway defenses when exercising even in polluted environments, but there is limited exercise capacity to modulate the inflammatory response in very polluted environments, so it should be emphasized that we should always try to practice exercise at times and places with minimal pollution.

Background. Although Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) can benefit the immune status, the effects of LcS in the immune/inflammatory responses of marathon runners has never been evaluated. Therefore, here we evaluated the effect of daily ingestion of fermented milk containing or not LcS in the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a marathon. Methods. Forty-two male marathon runners ingested a fermented milk containing 40 billion of LcS/day (LcS group, n = 20) or placebo (unfermented milk, n = 22) during 30 days pre-marathon. Immune/inflammatory parameters in nasal mucosa and serum, as well as concentrations of secretory IgA (SIgA) and antimicrobial peptides in saliva, were evaluated before and after fermented milk ingestion, immediately, 72 h, and 14 d post-marathon. Results. Higher proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum and nasal mucosa, and also lower salivary levels of SIgA and antimicrobial peptides, were found immediately post-marathon in the placebo group compared to other time points and to LcS group. In opposite, higher anti-inflammatory levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration on nasal mucosa were found in the LcS group compared to other time points and to the placebo group. Conclusion. For the first time, it is shown that LcS is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon.

Although regular exercise-training improves immune/inflammatory status, the influence of air pollutants exposure during outdoor endurance training compared to a sedentary lifestyle has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to compare the immune/inflammatory responses in the airways of street runners and sedentary people after acute and chronic particulate matter (PM) exposure. Forty volunteers (street runners (RUN, n = 20); sedentary people (SED, n = 20)) were evaluated 1 (acute) and 10 (chronic) weeks after PM exposure. Cytokines [interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17A] in nasal lavage fluid, salivary antibacterial peptides (lactoferrin (LTF), cathelicidin (LL-37), defensin-α 1–3), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), plasma club cell protein (CC16), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were analyzed. After acute exposure, the RUN group showed lower levels of IL-13, IL-10, and FeNO, but higher defensin-α than the SED group. After chronic exposure, the RUN group showed elevation of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A, and a decrease of FeNO levels, whereas the SED group showed elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and a decrease of IL-13 levels. Comparing these groups, the RUN group showed higher levels of SIgA and LTF, and lower FeNO levels than the SED group. In relation to the Th immune response analysis after acute and chronic PM exposure, the RUN group showed a pattern associated with Th1, while in the SED group, a Th2 pattern was found. Both groups showed also a Th17 immune response pattern. Our results allow us to suggest that the immune/inflammatory status of the respiratory tract after acute and chronic PM exposure was improved by the long-standing regular practice of outdoor endurance exercise compared to a sedentary lifestyle.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the inflammatory profile and mood states in the different phases of the menstrual cycle in soccer players with and without premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: Data on the menstrual cycle and mood states were collected using the Daily Symptom Report and the Brunel Mood Scale. Cytokine and stress hormone concentrations were measured in urine by flow cytometry before and after a game in the luteal phase and in the follicular phase of one menstrual cycle. Results: In all, 59.6% of the athletes had PMS. The PMS group showed higher concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 than the athletes without PMS. After the game, IL-6 decreased in the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The tumor necrosis factor-α levels were higher in the group without PMS during the post-game follicular phase than before the game. In the PMS group, tension was higher in the follicular phase before the game and depression was higher in the pre-game luteal phase than in the group without PMS. The PMS group also presented a negative correlation between depression and IL-10 levels in the pre-game follicular phase. Finally, in the pre-game luteal phase were found positive correlations between growth hormone and IL-10. Conclusion: PMS influences the inflammatory condition related to mood states and stress hormones in female soccer players.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate cytokines production and its relation with cortisol in female soccer players with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and without premenstrual syndrome PMS (nPMS), in pre-game evaluating the two phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular and luteal. PMS causes physical and emotional discomfort to women, so that this study can be of great importance in female athletes training scheme. METHODS: Fifty-two eumenorreic soccer players were evaluated (age: 19.8 ± 4.7 years). The PMS and phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by monitoring for 3 consecutive months, using the Daily Symptom Report (DSR). Evaluation of cortisol and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17 and TNF-α were performed in urine and quantified by Flow cytometry method. Study approved by the Ethics Committee in Research from Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Brazil) (No.1604/10). ANOVA and Pearson correlation with significance level of 5% were used for data analysis. RESULTS: No statistical significant results were found in cortisol and cytokines IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-17 and TNF-α between groups PMS and nPMS. The concentration of IL-6, in pre-game during the luteal phase, showed an increased in the group with PMS (p=0.04) compared to the nPMS group. The results of correlation between cortisol and the cytokines evaluated also showed positive correlations in the pre-game of the luteal phase with IL-17 (p<0.001, r= 0.77), IL-1β (p<0.001, r= 0.63) and IL-6 (p<0.001, r= 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Our results allow us to conclude that female soccer athletes PMS carriers, even in the pre-game period, presented an increased inflammatory status. The increase of proinflammatory cytokines is of great importance, since it is associated with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal lesions and a decrease in aerobic capacity. Therefore, the importance of our work is to alert female athletes, coaches and team physicians about the effects of PMS on health and performance, in order to provide these athletes with adequate training in the premenstrual period.

BACKGROUNDMuscular strength imbalance is an important risk factor for ACL injury, but it is not clear the impact of menstrual cycle on muscular strength balance. Our aims were to compare muscular balance (hamstring-to-quadriceps peak torque strength balance ratio) between luteal and follicular phases and compare gender differences relative to strength balance to observe possible fluctuations in strength balance ratio.METHODSThirty-eight soccer athletes (26 women and 12 men) took part in this study. Athletes participated in two identical isokinetic strength evaluations for both knee (non-dominant [ND] and dominant [D]). Peak torque for quadriceps and hamstring muscles were measured in concentric mode and hamstring-to-quadriceps peak torque strength balance ratio calculated.RESULTSWomen had significantly lower hamstring-to-quadriceps peak torque strength balance ratio during the follicular compared to luteal phase, for the ND limb (P=0.011). However, no differences, between luteal and follicular phases, were observed in the D limb. In men, no difference in strength balance ratios was found between the ND and D limbs.CONCLUSIONSThese data may be useful in prevention programs for knee (ACL) injuries among soccer female athletes.

Objective To investigate the level of anxiety and its relationship with interleukin (IL)- 10 (anti inflammatory cytokine that modulates mood swings) in a group of female soccer players. Methods Fifty-two eumenorrheic soccer players were evaluated (age 19.8 ± 4.7 years). The presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by a daily symptomreport (DSR) kept for 3 consecutivemonths. The concentration of cytokine IL-10 was determined from urine samples collected at four moments: at the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and before (pre) and after (post) the simulated game, and it was quantified by flow cytometry (Luminex xMAP - EMDMillipore, Billerica, MA, USA). The level of anxietywas determined through the BAI anxiety questionnaire answered by all athletes at the same time of the urine collection. The Student t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation with significance level at 5% were used for data analysis. Results We showed that the prevalence of PMS among female soccer players is similar to that reported in the literature. In addition,we showed that the group withPMS has a higher level of anxiety compared with group without PMS (p = 0.002). Interleukin-10 analysis in players without PMS revealed that there was a significant decrease in the level of this cytokine before the game during the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase (p < 0.05). The correlation analysis between IL-10 and anxiety showed a negative correlation post-game in the luteal phase in the group without PMS (p = 0.02; r = -0.50) and a positive correlation post-game in the luteal phase in PMS group (p = 0.04; r = 0.36). Conclusion Our results suggest that IL-10 may contribute to reduce anxiety in the group without PMS. This could be attributed to the fact that no IL-10 variation was observed in the group with PMS, which presented higher anxiety symptoms when compared with the group without PMS.