Airway inflammation in nonasthmatic amateur runners

Abstract

Elite athletes show a high prevalence of symptoms and signs of asthma, but no study has assessed the acute effects of endurance exercise on airway cells in nonasthmatic athletes. We measured exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and collected samples of induced sputum after 3% NaCl aerosol administration for 20 min in nonasthmatic middle-aged amateur runners after the Fourth Palermo International Marathon and 6--9 wk later (habitual training period) at baseline. After the marathon, exhaled NO (n = 9 subjects) was higher [27 +/- 9 parts/billion (ppb)] than at baseline (12 +/- 4 ppb; P < 0.0005). Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts in induced sputum were much higher in runners (91.2 +/- 3.6% of total cells postmarathon and 78.7 +/- 9.1% at baseline) than in sedentary control subjects (9.9 +/- 5.9%; P < 0.001). Expression of L-selectin and CD11b/CD18 in sputum PMNs was lower after the race than at baseline and inversely related to the amount of exhaled NO (r = -0.66 and -0.69, respectively; P < 0.05). Our data indicate that sputum PMNs are increased in nonasthmatic runners both after a marathon and at baseline and suggest that NO may modulate exercise-associated inflammatory airway changes.

Exercise‐induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in elite athletes: epidemiology, mechanisms and diagnosis: Part I of the report from the Joint Task Force of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN

“…Bonsignore et al (71) reported a relationship between airways neutrophilia (in induced sputum) and endurance training in seven swimmersÕ training and competing outdoor. They also reported similar findings in nine nonasthmatic middle-aged amateur marathon runners (72). An increased number of cells in sputum was found in nine young competitive rowers before and after an allout rowing test and a change in cell dominance from neutrophils to bronchial epithelial cells (73).…”

Advances in asthma pathophysiology: stepping forward from the Maurizio Vignola experience

“…In healthy humans, studies on induced sputum cells at rest and after a marathon [76] or half-marathon [77] race documented that intense exercise caused mild epithelial injury and influx of neutrophils into the airways, possibly due to hyperosmolarity of the airway lining fluid secondary to the hyperpnoea of exercise. However, no significant activation of inflammatory cells occurred [76,77], in line with the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise documented in animal models. However, such inflammation could negatively affect airway muscle tone.…”

Oxidative stress and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in elite athletes: does the interrelation exist?

“…и количество сегментоядерных нейтрофилов в индуцированной мокроте здоровых атлетов мара фонцев с целью определения влияния длительной нагрузки на данные показатели [32]. Установлено достоверное повышение уровня NO выд.…”