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Immunological changes after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in a hot environment

Cambios inmunológicos después de realizar un ejercicio moderado en un entorno de alta temperatura

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Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the possible changes caused by a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in a hot environmental temperature on the immune function and on inflammatory markers. A total of 22 young male adults (VO2max, 55.4±3.6 ml·kg−1·min−1) volunteered to participate in an exercise session of 60 minutes on a treadmill ergometer at moderate speed (60% of the maximum aerobic speed) in hot environmental conditions (35°C and humidity 60%). Total leukocyte numbers, lymphocyte subsets (CD8+, CD4+, CD3+, NK and CD19+), cytokine production capacity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α) as well as the concentration of several inflammation related proteins (ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein (CRP), complement factors C3 and C4) were evaluated before and after exercise. The results show that leukocyte and neutrophil absolute values increased (P<0.001) after the exercise period. In contrast, eosinophil values decreased (P<0.05) after the exercise. In addition, ceruloplasmin, C3 and C4 values (P<0.05) increased after exercise. No changes in T lymphocyte subsets, cytokine production, or CRP were observed. These data confirm previous studies suggesting that a 60 min exercise in a hot environment is enough to cause a physiologic adaptation to these special conditions leading to an increase of non-specific immune cells and promoting inflammatory processes. On the other hand, PCR values, lymphocyte subsets and the capacity of cytokine production by PBMC were not changed in a relatively short bout of exercise under these conditions in contrast with previous studies.

Resumen

El objetivo fue evaluar los posibles cambios producidos en marcadores inmunológicos y de inflamación, tras una prueba de ejercicio físico a una intensidad moderada y bajo un entorno de alta temperatura. Para ello, participaron voluntariamente un total de 22 varones jóvenes (VO2max, 55.4±3.6 ml·kg−1·min−1) en un protocolo de carrera en tapiz rodante durante 60 minutos a una velocidad moderada (al 60% de su velocidad aeróbica máxima), y bajo una entorno controlado de alta temperatura (35°C y 60% de humedad relativa). Se determinaron los parámetros correspondientes a la serie blanca (leucocitos totales y sus diferenciales), subpoblaciones de linfocitos CD8+, CD4+, CD3+, NK y CD19+, capacidad de producción de citoquinas IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-γ y TNF-α, así como concentración de proteínas relacionadas con la inflamación (ceruloplasmina, proteína C reactiva y factores del complemento C3 y C4), antes y después de realizar la prueba de ejercicio físico. Los resultados mostraron un aumento significativo (P<0.001) en los valores absolutos de leucocitos y neutrófilos tras el ejercicio. Por otro lado, los valores de eosinófilos (P<0.05) disminuyeron después de la prueba. Los valores correspondientes a ceruloplasmina, C3 y C4 aumentaron (P<0.05) tras el ejercicio. Los resultados del presente estudio confirman estudios previos, y sugieren que 60 minutos de ejercicio en altas temperaturas es suficiente para producir una adaptación fisiológica a esas condiciones (aumento de las células responsables de la respuesta inmune inespecífica y de procesos inflamatorios). Sin embargo, no se observaron cambios en la proteína C reactiva, subpoblaciones de linfocitos, ni en la capacidad de producción de las citoquinas tras el ejercicio.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunonutrition Research Group, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain

    J. Romeo, J. Wärnberg, S. Gómez-Martínez & A. Marcos

  2. Research Group EFFECTS 262, Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    D. Jiménez-Pavón & M. J. Castillo

  3. Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INEF), Madrid, Spain

    D. Jiménez-Pavón

  4. Facultad de Educación Física y Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Chihuahua, México

    M. Cervantes-Borunda

  5. Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    J. Wärnberg

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  1. J. Romeo
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  2. D. Jiménez-Pavón
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  3. M. Cervantes-Borunda
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  4. J. Wärnberg
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  5. S. Gómez-Martínez
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  6. M. J. Castillo
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  7. A. Marcos
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Correspondence to A. Marcos.

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Romeo, J., Jiménez-Pavón, D., Cervantes-Borunda, M. et al. Immunological changes after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in a hot environment. J. Physiol. Biochem. 64, 197–204 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178842

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178842

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