
ISSN No. 2454-6194 | DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS |Volume X Issue IX September 2025
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activity, this exercise-induced surge in IL-6 is absent. Baseline IL-6 might still be elevated due to systemic
inflammation (from adipose tissue or chronic disease), but the acute rise post-exercise is blunted, reflecting
diminished muscle activity. In active individuals, IL-6 primarily originates from muscle, promoting beneficial
effects. In physically inactive or sarcopenic states, most IL-6 comes from adipose tissue and immune cells,
indicating a shift toward chronic low-grade inflammation instead of an exercise response.
Elevated IL-6 levels are strongly associated with infertility due to their role in chronic inflammation and
hormonal imbalance. In women, conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis show increased IL-6, which
impairs follicular development, oocyte quality, and endometrial receptivity, leading to implantation failure
10
.
Similarly, in men, high IL-6 in seminal plasma contributes to oxidative stress, sperm DNA damage, and reduced
motility. Obesity further aggravates this by increasing IL-6 secretion from adipose tissue, disturbing the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Overall, persistently high IL-6 reflects an inflammatory and metabolic state
that negatively affects reproductive health, making it a potential biomarker for infertility and poor ART
outcomes.
The present study demonstrated a significant association between BMI and circulating IL-6 levels, with
progressively higher IL-6 observed across increasing categories of obesity. This supports the concept of
Atisthoulya as a state of systemic dysfunction characterized by low-grade inflammation, validating the
Ayurvedic description of Ashta Doshakara Bhavas in relation to modern inflammatory pathology. Elevated IL-
6 levels highlight the increased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, and degenerative disorders among obese
individuals. From both Ayurvedic and biomedical perspectives, IL-6 may serve as a crucial biomarker for early
detection of pathological changes, thereby offering scope for preventive and integrative management strategies.
Bridging Ayurvedic insights with molecular evidence like IL-6 strengthens the understanding of obesity’s
multidimensional impact and underscores the necessity for holistic therapeutic approaches.
Special appreciation is due to all the participants who volunteered for this research, without whose cooperation
this work would not have been possible. The technical staff and laboratory team are also acknowledged for their
assistance in sample collection, processing, and analysis.
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