P1768effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Circulating Lymphocytes, Monocytes and Cytokines in Renal Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Background and Aims High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the general population and in chronic diseases. However, intense exercise has the potential to suppress immune function and promote systemic inflammation. Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are immunologically vulnerable and therefore thorough understanding of the effects of different exercise regimes is required to inform exercise advice and guidelines. The aim of this study was to explore the immune and inflammatory effects of HIIT in comparison to moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) in RTRs. Method Renal transplant recipients (n = 24, age (years) = 48 ± 13, BMI = 27.2 ± 5.6 kg.m2, eGFR (mL·min· 1.73 m2) = 58 ± 19) were randomised into one of three thrice-weekly 8 week exercise programmes: HIIT A (16 min interval training with 4, 2 and 1 min intervals at 80%–90% of peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak), HIIT B (4 × 4 min interval training at 80%–90% V̇O2peak) or MICT (∼40 min cycling at 50%–60% V̇O2peak). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at baseline, mid-training, post-training and three months post-training and stained for lymphocyte and monocyte phenotypic and activation markers. Plasma cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) were measured by affinity ELISA kits. Results Friedman’s ANOVA was used to assess within-group differences and a Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to assess between-group differences; any significant findings were followed up using a post-hoc test. There were no differences in circulating lymphocyte or monocyte lineage markers within or between groups over time (P > 0.05). Cytokines did not change in relation to exercise within or between groups over time (P > 0.05). Conclusion This is the first study to investigate the effects of HIIT on immune parameters and inflammation markers longitudinally in RTRs or other immunosuppressed populations. Our data do not indicate any evidence for adverse effects of HIIT on circulating lymphocytes, monocytes or cytokines and suggest that such exercise regimes may be immunologically safe for immunosuppressed patients. We recommend further investigations involving larger sample size to confirm our results.