Immunomodulatory Effects of Aerobic Training in Obesity

Abstract

Introduction. Physical inactivity and obesity are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. We analyzed the immunomodulatory capacity of 10-week intensified exercise training (ET) in obese and lean athletes. Markers of the innate immune response were investigated in obese (ONE: ET≤40 km/week) and lean athletes (LNE: ET≤40 km/week and LE: ET≥55 km/week). Methods. Circulating dendritic cells (DC) were analyzed by flow-cytometry for BDCA-1/-2-expression. TLR-2/-4/-7 and MyD88 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Circulating oxLDL levels were analyzed by ELISA. Results. BDCA-1 expression at baseline was lower in ONE compared to both other groups (ONE 0.15%; LNE 0.27%; LE 0.33%; P < .05), but significantly increased in ONE after training (+50%; P < .05). In contrast, BDCA-2 expression at baseline was higher in ONE (ONE 0.25%; LNE 0.11%; LE 0.09%; P < .05) and decreased in ONE after the 10-week training period (−27%; P < .05). Gene activations of TLR-4 and TLR-7 with corresponding protein increase were found for all three groups (P < .01/P < .05) compared to pre training. A reduction of oxLDL levels was seen in ONE (−61%; P < .05). Conclusions. Intensified exercise induces an increase of BDCA-1+ DCs and TLR-4/-7 in obese athletes. We hereby describe new immune modulatory effects, which—through regular aerobic exercise—modulate innate immunity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in obesity.

Role of Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 signaling pathways on the inflammatory response to resistance training in elderly subjects

“…In support, data from the current investigation suggest that the lower TLR2 and TLR4 expression induced by resistance training was accompanied by a decrease in MyD88 protein concentration in PBMC of old subjects. In contrast, MyD88 protein expression was not altered in PBMC of obese subjects after 10 weeks of endurance training (Nickel et al 2011). The different exercise stimulus (high-intensity low-volume vs lowintensity high-volume) may affect the MyD88 pathway differently, explaining the discrepancies between these studies.…”

Effects of aerobic training on markers of autophagy in the elderly

“…Likewise, MyD88 and TRIF protein concentrations remained unchanged after the intervention. Other investigations have previously failed to show aerobic exercise-induced changes in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways after a 15-day endurance program in diabetic patients (Reyna et al 2013) or after 10 weeks of endurance training in obese athletes (Nickel et al 2011). Yet, the current data contrast with previous results from our group indicating that other exercise modalities (resistance exercise or whole-body vibration training) downregulate TLR expression in old subjects, resulting in a less proinflammatory state (Rodriguez-Miguélez et al 2014.…”

Marathon performance but not BMI affects post-marathon pro-inflammatory and cartilage biomarkers

“…Forty-five male runners were included in this observational substudy of a previously published intervention study (Nickel, Emslander, et al, 2012;Nickel et al, 2011;Nickel, Vogeser, et al, 2012) (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00500773).…”

“…Elevated plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are typical for obese persons (Kasapis & Thompson, 2005). Aerobic exercise in active obese persons modulates the immune system response, increases inflammatory resistance, and mediates cardiovascular protection (Nickel et al, 2011) with an immediate increase in IL-6 and IL-10 levels and a delayed increase in TNF-α and CRP-levels after a marathon run (Nickel, Emslander, et al, 2012). Hence, regular exercise training as well as acute bouts of exercise affect inflammatory markers.…”