Acute Heavy Resistance Exercise Protocol Increases Extracellular Heat Shock Protein Without Changes in Associated...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial for cellular protection and stress response.
• Extracellular HSP70 (eHSP70) has been linked to various physiological stressors, including aerobic exercise and heat exposure.
• The role of eHSP70 in response to acute heavy resistance exercise protocols (AHREP) remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the changes in eHSP70 and associated cytokines following a strenuous AHREP.
• To compare the eHSP70 response to AHREP with known responses to aerobic exercise and heat stress.
• To analyze the relationship between eHSP70, white blood cell counts, and cytokine profiles post-resistance exercise.

Main Methods:

• Ten healthy, resistance-trained men underwent a standardized AHREP (6x10 back squats).
• Blood samples were collected pre-exercise and at multiple time points up to 72 hours post-exercise.
• Measurements included white blood cell count, various cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α), and eHSP70 via ELISA and flow cytometry.

Main Results:

• eHSP70 levels significantly increased immediately post-AHREP and remained elevated for at least 15 minutes.
• White blood cell counts showed significant shifts post-exercise, coinciding with increased levels of the chemoattractant cytokine IL-8.
• No significant changes were observed in the measured pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α).

Conclusions:

• A stressful AHREP can activate cellular stress pathways, including eHSP70 release, similar to aerobic exercise and heat exposure.
• The eHSP70 response to AHREP appears independent of significant acute changes in the studied inflammatory cytokines.
• Resistance training protocols can induce physiological stress responses that overlap with those typically seen in other exercise modalities.