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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Human NK Cell Activity
Published on: August 9, 2017
Chronic resistance exercise training improves natural killer cell activity in older women
Brian K McFarlin1, Michael G Flynn, Melody D Phillips
1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Texas 77204-6015, USA. bmcfarlin@uh.edu
Background:
Regular exercise has been reported to slow the age-associated declines in natural killer cell activity (NKCA). To evaluate this response, we recruited older, postmenopausal women (65-85 years old) to fill one of two groups: training (10 weeks of resistance exercise; TR) or control.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from an arm vein in the TR group at rest (PRE), immediately following (POST), and 2 hours (2H) following an acute bout of resistance exercise both before (BEFORE) and after (AFTER) training. Leukocytes and NKCA were determined by flow cytometry and a whole blood (51)Cr release assay, respectively.
Results:
Acute exercise increased total leukocyte (p < .05), CD8 (p < .05), CD4 (p < .05), and CD56 counts (p < .05), but there was no effect of training. NKCA was greater TR-AFTER-PRE (136%), -POST (80%), and -2H (127%) compared to similar values from TR-BEFORE (p < .05).
Conclusion:
Increased resting NKCA after chronic resistance training suggests that immunity has been improved.
