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Interval aerobic/resistance exercise training depresses adrenergic-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes in sedentary males

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Adrenergic stimulation affects lymphocyte autophagy and apoptosis by activating β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK-2) downstream signaling. This study investigated how combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on the interval or continuous pattern influences aerobic/muscular fitness and β1-AR/GRK-2 signaling, and corresponding apoptosis/autophagy of lymphocytes in sedentary males.

Methods

Thirty-four sedentary males were randomized into interval training (IT, age = 22.5 ± 0.6 years, fitness level = 47.5 ± 0.9 mL/min/kg, body mass index (BMI) = 22.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2, n = 17) and continuous training (CT, age = 21.6 ± 0.4 years, fitness level = 45.2 ± 1.0 mL/min/kg, BMI = 22.2 ± 0.3 kg/m2, n = 17) groups. These subjects performed IT (bicycle exercise at alternating 40% and 80%VO2 reserve (VO2R) and isokinetic exercise at alternating 60°/s and 180°/s) or CT (bicycle exercise at continuously 60%VO2R and isokinetic exercise at continuously 120°/s) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Aerobic capacity and muscular strength/endurance were determined by the graded exercise test (GXT) and isokinetic strength test, respectively. Blood lymphocyte autophagy/apoptosis and β1-AR/GRK-2 signaling were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Results

Both IT and CT groups increased isokinetic strengths at various angular velocities, whereas only IT significantly enhanced muscle endurance, indicated by lowered fatigue index from 47.0 ± 1.3% to 41.8 ± 1.6% (P < 0.05). Moreover, the IT group (143 ± 7%) revealed a higher improvement in VO2peak than CT group (132 ± 6%) (P < 0.05). Acute GXT augmented (i) GRK-2 and protein kinase A expressions, (ii) LAMP-2 upregulation and acridine orange staining, (iii) mitochondrial transmembrane potential diminishing, caspase-3 activation, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure caused by epinephrine in blood lymphocytes. However, the degree of epinephrine-induced lymphocyte PS exposure potentiated by GXT was suppressed from 65.2 ± 5.2% to 47.4 ± 6.5% following 6 weeks of the IT (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The IT may be considered more beneficial than CT in terms of improving aerobic/muscular fitness and simultaneously ameliorating apoptosis of blood lymphocyte evoked by intense exercise or adrenergic stimulation in sedentary males.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

AO:

Acridine orange

β1-AR:

β1-Adrenergic receptor

IT:

Interval training

CT:

Continuous training

CRT:

Continuous resistance training

GRK-2:

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2

GXT:

Graded exercise test

HIIT:

High-intensity interval training

IRT:

Interval resistance training

LAMP-2:

Lysosome-associated membrane protein 2

MICT:

Moderate-intensity continuous training

mTOR:

Mammalian target of rapamycin

MTP:

Mitochondrial transmembrane potential

p-PKA:

Phosphoryl protein kinase A

PS:

Phosphatidylserine

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the volunteers for their enthusiastic participation.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Council of Taiwan (grant number 110-2314-B-182-015-MY3). Chang Gung Medical Research Program (grant number CMRPD3I0021), and Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University (grant number EMRPD1A0841).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Yu-Chieh Huang

  2. Heart Failure Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan

    Chih-Chin Hsu, Tieh-Cheng Fu & Jong-Shyan Wang

  3. Healthy Aging Research Center, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Medical College, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan

    Jong-Shyan Wang

  4. Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan

    Jong-Shyan Wang

  5. Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1St Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan

    Jong-Shyan Wang

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  1. Yu-Chieh Huang
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Contributions

YCH and JSW did the data analysis and made the tables and figures. YCH and JSW performed the experiments, drafted the manuscript, and revised it. CCH, TCF, YCH, and JSW conceptualized and designed the study, and were involved in the manuscript development and revision.

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Correspondence to Jong-Shyan Wang.

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Communicated by Fabio fischetti.

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Huang, YC., Hsu, CC., Fu, TC. et al. Interval aerobic/resistance exercise training depresses adrenergic-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes in sedentary males. Eur J Appl Physiol 124, 837–848 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05311-3

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