Lymphocytes and nk cell activity during repeated bouts of maximal
exercise.
Nielsen, Henning B., Niels H. Secher, Niels J. Christensen, and Bente
K. Pedersen.
The Copenhagen Muscle Research Center, Departments of Infectious
Diseases and Anesthesia, Rigshospitalet, Department of Endocrinology,
Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen,
Denmark
APStracts 3:0086R, 1996.
Effects on the immune system of six minute "all-out" ergometer
rowing were investigated over two days (2x3 bouts) in eight male
oarsmen with a maximal oxygen uptake of 5.5+/-0.1 l min-1 (mean and
SE). Blood samples were obtained before, during, and two hours after
each bout and on the day following the last bout. Compared to levels
at rest, the first bout of exercise increased the concentration of
leucocytes (2-fold), neutrophilic granulocytes (2-fold), lymphocytes
(2-fold), and monocytes (2-fold); the blood mononuclear cell (BMNC)
subsets CD3+ (2-fold), CD4+ (2-fold), CD8+ (3-fold), CD16+ (8-fold),
CD19+ (2-fold), and CD14+ (2-fold); the NK cell activity (2-fold);
and plasma interleukin (IL)-6 (3-fold) (P<0.05). During the last
bout even higher levels were noted for leucocytes (3-fold),
neutrophilic granulocytes (3-fold), and lymphocytes (4-fold); the
BMNC subsets CD4+ (3-fold), CD8+ (5-fold), CD16+ (13-fold), CD19+ (5
-fold), and CD14+ (3-fold); and for the NK cell activity (4-fold)
(P< 0.05). During the recovery periods all values were at or
above the level at rest and elevated concentrations of leucocytes
(38%), neutrophilic granulocytes (48%), and lymphocytes (46%)
reflected in the BMNC subsets and increased NK cell activity (119%)
were also noted on the day following the last bout (P< 0.05).
The results show that maximal exercise with large muscle groups
provoke higher immune responses during repetitive bouts.
Received 21 February 1995; accepted in final form 2 February 1996
APS Manuscript Number R126-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Regulatory Integrative
Comp. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 20 March 96