Fig. 6

Exercise-induced changes of circulating cytokines: Prior to exercise patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) showed significantly elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (a) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (b), whilst level of IL-4 (c) were significantly reduced as compared to healthy subjects. No significant differences, occurred regarding IL-1ra (d), IL-1-beta (e), IL-12 (f), IL-13 (g) or IL-10 (h). Exercise caused a sustained reduction of the IL-6 and IL-1-beta level in IPAH patients (rANOVA; a and e). *p < 0.05 (rANOVA); **p < 0.01 (rANOVA); ^#p < 0.05 (rANOVA)