IL6 and osteoarthritis, knee: The increase in macrophages was attenuated by electrically stimulated quadriceps contractions starting at the onset of knee osteoarthritis.76 Also, treadmill training blocked the increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), increases in chemokine CCL2,65 and decreases in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL1ra, and IL-10) that are found in the sciatic nerve after induction of neuropathic pain.11,12,26,28,72,154 Furthermore, sciatic nerve injury was found to alter macrophage distribution in the sciatic nerve.