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Splenectomy impairs lymphocytosis during maximal exercise

H B Nielsen¹, N H Secher, J H Kristensen

¹Copenhagen Muscle Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.

The American Journal of Physiology

|June 1, 1997

Summary

The spleen plays a crucial role in exercise-induced lymphocytosis, significantly contributing to the increase in T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells during physical activity.

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Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Immunology
Hematology

Background:

Exercise triggers an increase in circulating lymphocytes, a phenomenon known as exercise-induced lymphocytosis.
The spleen's contribution to this immune response during physical exertion remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the spleen's role in exercise-induced lymphocytosis.
To quantify the spleen's contribution to the increase in specific lymphocyte subsets during exercise.

Main Methods:

Compared splenectomized subjects with matched controls during graded exercise protocols.
Measured lymphocyte counts, subsets (CD3+, CD8+, CD16+, CD56+), and natural killer (NK) cell activity via venous blood sampling.
Assessed plasma catecholamine levels to evaluate sympathetic nervous system activity.

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Main Results:

Splenectomized subjects exhibited a significantly blunted increase in total lymphocytes and specific subsets (T cells, NK cells) compared to controls.
The spleen accounted for approximately two-thirds of the exercise-induced increase in T lymphocytes and NK cells.
NK cell activity was reduced in splenectomized subjects, primarily due to a lower number of NK cells.

Conclusions:

The spleen is a critical organ for mediating lymphocytosis during exercise.
The spleen significantly contributes to the mobilization of T lymphocytes and NK cells in response to physical stress.
These findings highlight the spleen's importance in the immune system's adaptation to exercise.