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Immune system of cold-exposed and cold-adapted humans
L Janský1, D Pospísilová, S Honzová
1Department of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Vinicná 7, Prague, Czech Republic.
Summary
Repeated cold water immersion in athletes mildly activates the immune system. This noninfectious stimulus led to increased monocytes, specific lymphocytes, and inflammatory markers, suggesting a subtle immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
- Stress Response
Background:
- The human immune system's response to noninfectious stimuli is not fully understood.
- Cold water immersion is a known physiological stressor with potential immunomodulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of repeated cold water immersion on the immune system of athletic individuals.
- To determine if a noninfectious stimulus can activate the immune system and improve physiological status.
Main Methods:
- Athletic young men underwent cold water immersion (14°C for 1 hour) three times weekly for six weeks.
- Immune cell populations (monocytes, lymphocytes subsets like CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, HLA-DR) and plasma cytokine/protein levels (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, haptoglobin, etc.) were monitored.
Main Results:
- A single immersion had minimal effect.
- Repeated immersions induced a significant increase in monocytes, IL-2 receptor-expressing lymphocytes (CD25), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
- Trends towards increased IL-6, T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8), activated lymphocytes (HLA-DR), and decreased alpha-1-antitrypsin were observed, alongside elevated acute-phase proteins.
Conclusions:
- Repeated cold water immersion, a stress-inducing noninfectious stimulus, activates the immune system to a slight extent in athletes.
- The observed immune changes are linked to increased metabolic rate, shivering, and elevated catecholamines.
- The precise biological significance of these subtle immune alterations requires further investigation.