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Physical activity and immune senescence in men
1Department of Public Health, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan. shinsho@me1serv.ehime-u.ac.jp
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Endurance exercise in older adults helps maintain T cell function and cytokine production, mitigating age-related immune decline. Active seniors show better immune responses compared to sedentary peers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Aging is associated with a decline in T cell function and immune responses.
- Endurance exercise is known to have various health benefits, but its specific impact on T cell function in older adults requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether habitual endurance exercisers retain higher T cell function in old age compared to sedentary individuals.
- To compare immune cell counts, activation, and cytokine production between young, elderly sedentary, and elderly active males.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey involving three groups of male subjects: young controls, elderly sedentary controls, and elderly endurance runners.
- Blood samples were analyzed for circulating T cell counts (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), activation markers, and proliferative responses to mitogens and alloantigens.
- Cytokine production (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4) and natural killer cell activity were measured.
Main Results:
- Elderly individuals, regardless of exercise status, had lower circulating CD3+ and CD8+ T cell counts but higher percentages of activated and memory T cells compared to young subjects.
- Elderly subjects showed reduced T cell proliferative responses and tended to have decreased IL-2 production.
- Habitual endurance exercisers among the elderly demonstrated significantly greater T cell proliferative responses and higher production of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-4 compared to their sedentary elderly counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Endurance training in later life is associated with a reduced age-related decline in specific aspects of circulating T cell function.
- Regular endurance exercise may help preserve immune function in older adults, potentially through enhanced T cell responses and cytokine production.