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High intensity exercise: a cause of lymphocyte apoptosis?
1Departments of Physiology, University of Natal Medical School, South Africa. mars@med.und.ac.za
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Intense exercise triggers lymphocyte apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which may explain post-exercise lymphocytopenia and reduced immune function. This study provides the first evidence of exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Post-exercise lymphocytopenia is a known phenomenon.
- Previous research suggested exercise-induced DNA damage in leukocytes.
- The role of apoptosis in exercise-related immune changes was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lymphocyte apoptosis following strenuous exercise.
- To determine if exercise-induced DNA damage is linked to apoptosis.
- To explore the mechanisms behind exercise-induced lymphocytopenia.
Main Methods:
- Subjects performed a ramped treadmill test to exhaustion.
- Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 24/48 hours after.
- Single cell gel electrophoresis and TUNEL assay with flow cytometry were used to assess DNA damage and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Single-strand DNA damage was observed in 10% of lymphocytes immediately post-exercise.
- DNA distribution patterns consistent with apoptosis were seen at all post-exercise time points.
- Flow cytometry revealed 63% lymphocyte apoptosis immediately post-exercise, increasing to 86.2% at 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis.
- Exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis may contribute to post-exercise lymphocytopenia.
- Apoptosis could be a factor in the transiently reduced immunity observed after intense exercise.