Combined effects of moderate exercise and short-term fasting on markers of immune function in healthy human subjects

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a short-term (36 h) fasting period combined with an acute bout of exercise on markers of immune function and inflammation in healthy human subjects. Fourteen moderately trained male subjects (aged 19–39 yr) participated in a 36-h fasting trial (FA-T), followed by an acute bout of moderate exercise (60% V̇o2max). After 1 wk, the same subjects, as their own control, participated in a nonfasting trial (NFA-T) in which they performed an exercise trial of the same duration and intensity. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after, and 1 h after each exercise bout and analyzed for several immunological and metabolic markers. At baseline, fasting subjects showed lower levels of T cell apoptosis, lymphocyte-proliferative responses, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), insulin, and leptin ( P < 0.05) as well as higher levels of neutrophil oxidative burst and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) than those in the NFA-T ( P < 0.05). After the exercise protocol, fasted subjects revealed higher T cell apoptosis, neutrophil oxidative burst, TBARS, TNFα, and MCP-1 levels as well as lower levels of lymphocyte-proliferative response, IL-6, insulin, and leptin than those in the NFA-T ( P < 0.05). Short-term fasting aggravates perturbations in markers of immune function, and inflammation was induced by an acute moderate-intensity exercise protocol.

CCL2 Gene Expression and Protein Level Changes Observed in Response to Wingate Anaerobic Test in High-Trained Athletes and Non-Trained Controls

“…In the study by Catoire et al, CCL2 was identified as a myokine whose expression in muscle and plasma level increases after 1-h one-legged acute exercise [ 12 ]. What is more, increased plasma levels of CCL2 were found in female rowers after 1 h of endurance exercise [ 48 ] and in males subjected to 36 h fasting trial and a subsequent acute bout of moderate exercise [ 49 ]. Zwetsloot et al noted that a single acute session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (60 s, at 100% VO 2 max) in active young men led to an increase in several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and MCP-1 (CCL2) [ 50 ].…”

Exercise in Cold Weather for COVID-19-Recovered Individuals

“…In addition to the effect of exercise in healthy individuals, remarkable efficacy has been found in people with underlying diseases (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) and the elderly, who are generally more prone to infections (30)(31)(32). Therefore, regular moderate-intensity activity helps maintain fit and healthy within the recommended guidelines (31).…”

“…In addition to the effect of exercise in healthy individuals, remarkable efficacy has been found in people with underlying diseases (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) and the elderly, who are generally more prone to infections (30)(31)(32). Therefore, regular moderate-intensity activity helps maintain fit and healthy within the recommended guidelines (31). Regu-lar moderate-intensity exercise promotes the immune response, dysfunctional T cells (33), T cell proliferation, circulating inflammatory cytokine levels (18,33), neutrophil phagocytic activity, cytotoxic activity, and IL-2 production (34).…”