Lymphocyte Function and Cytokine Production During Incremental Exercise in Active and Sedentary Males and Females

Abstract

This study examined the effects of acute continuous incremental exercise on lymphocyte mitogenic function and cytokine production in physically active and sedentary males and females. Physically active (n = 32) and sedentary (N = 32) male and female subjects were randomly assigned to an exercise or control condition. Exercise involved a continuous incremental protocol consisting of cycling for 3 periods of 6 min at workrates corresponding to 55%, 70% and 85% VO2peak. Blood samples were drawn from a venous catheter at baseline, 6 min, 12 min and 18 min, and 2 h following completion of exercise. Relative to baseline and control condition the percentage of T (CD3+) and B cells (CD19+) significantly decreased, and the percentage of NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+) increased (p < 0.001) during each stage of the incremental exercise test. The proliferative response to ConA was suppressed, enhanced, or unchanged using 1.25 micrograms/ml, 2.5 micrograms/ml and 5.0 micrograms/ml ConA, respectively. The in-vitro production of IL-1 and IFN-gamma increased during each workload. In contrast IL-4 production did not change during exercise. The resting and exercise induced alterations in lymphocyte function and cytokine production were independent of gender and fitness level, and returned to baseline 2 h into recovery. The in-vitro production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 suggests that physical activity may alter the balance of TH1 and TH2 lymphocytes.

Inflammatory responses to three modes of intense exercise in Standardbred mares – a pilot study

“…A similar response has been documented in humans 32 , where effects of acute continuous incremental exercise on cytokine production were evaluated. Furthermore, Brenner et al 5 evaluated the effects of three modes of exercise, short-duration, high-intensity (, 5 min), circuit training (eccentric exercise) and long duration (2 h), on markers of inflammation in healthy, moderately fit men.…”

Influence of Physical Activity and Nutrition on Obesity‐Related Immune Function

“…This is further supported by other studies demonstrating transient immune cell redistribution via beta-adrenergic activation following acute mental stress [23, 27, 29, 30]. Specifically in response to exercise, monocytes and NK cells (innate immunity) exhibit the greatest fluctuation followed by CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells (adaptive immunity) [31–33]. These alterations in immune cells have been shown to correspond with the release of catecholamines [34].…”

A brief bout of exercise alters gene expression and distinct gene pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of early- and late-pubertal females

“…NK surface receptors can trigger cytolytic programs, as well as cytokine or chemokine secretion associated with inducing apoptosis in target cells. Indeed, there is evidence suggesting that exercise does induce physiological activation of innate immune cells like NK cells (18,19), providing a possible link between the exercise-induced changes in gene expression and functional outcomes.…”