Exercise induced apoptosis in lymphocytes

Mooren FC, Lechtermann A, Blöming D, Thorwesten L, Völker K

Abstract in digital collection (conference)

Abstract

Exercise induced changes in leukocyte count are well documented. Moreover, we could demonstrate that these changes are accompanied by alterations of the intracellular calcium signalling processes. Because alterations in calcium signalling could be related to the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) the aim of the present study was to investigate whether apoptosis may account for the post exercise lymphocytopenia and whether there is a dependency on the intensity of exercise or not. Healthy volunteers performed two treadmill exercise tests. The first test was performed at 80% VO2max untilexhaustion (exhaustive test, ET). One week later a second moderate exercise test was performed at 60% VO2max while the running time was identical to the first test (moderate test, MT). Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and 1 hour after the test. Samples were analysed for lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry. The lymphocyte fraction which was isolated using density gradient centrifugation was analysed for theapoptotic and necrotic cells using FITC labelled Annexin V-antibodies and propidium iodide, respectively. Moreover, plasma membrane expression of CD95-receptor and CD95-receptor ligand was investigated. After the ET the percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly while the percentage of necrotic cells remained constant. In contrast, the percentage of apoptotic cells was unchanged after the MT. Furthermore we found an upregulation of the CD95-receptor expression after the ET while CD95-receptor ligand showed no difference. Expression of both surface markers was unchanged after the MT. These results suggest that apoptosis may contribute to the regulation of the immune response after exhaustiveexercise. This mechanism can be regarded either as helpful, i.e. auto reactive cells are deleted, or as harmful, i.e. suppression of the immune response, and waits further investigations

Details zur Publikation

Publisher: Mester J, King G, Strüder H, Tsolaakidis E, Osterburg A
Book title: Perspectives and Profiles
Release year: 2001
Publishing company: Sport und Buch Strauss GmbH
ISBN: 3-89001-235-3
Language in which the publication is written: English
Event: Cologne
Link to the full text: http://www.ecss.de/ASP/EDSS/C06/06-0445.pdf