The purpose of this study was to separate acute and chronic effects of moderate exercise on the immune system by analyzing three sets of experimental and control groups; (1) 72 hours, (2) 1 week, (3) 2 weeks post exercise. Mice swam 5 days per week for 3 weeks accumulating a total of 125, 225, and 225 minutes of exercise in weeks 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Moderate swimming exercise did not result in a significant increase in SDH levels (p > 0.05). There was no change in tissue cell responses as measured by mitogen responsiveness, nor in splenic and thymic cell counts in response to the training regimen at any time point (p ≥ 0.05). Total, CD4, CD8, and T cell counts in the lymph nodes were significantly suppressed at 72 hours and 2 weeks post exercise (p ≤ 0.05). It appears that chronic exercise resulted in an increased trafficking of lymphatic cells, which could be interpreted as a sign of heightened immune reactivity.

A suppressed immune system is a complicating health factor in cancer patients that keeps them from achieving the highest quality of life possible. Moderate exercise is thought to boost the immune system in cancer patients. The aim of this project was to determine the effects of an eight week aerobic exercise program on the mucosal immune system of cancer survivors compared to non-cancer patients. Our hypothesis was that the immune system of the cancer patients would positively respond to a moderate exercise program, specifically increasing antibody production. To examine our hypothesis, five cancer and six non-cancer patients undertook a supervised moderate aerobic exercise program at the University of Northern Colorado. The subjects performed an incremental peak treadmill test to exhaustion at the start of the program and after 8 weeks of training. Saliva samples were taken at specific times for each peak exercise test: prior to testing, immediately after testing, and 30 minutes post-test. Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays (ELISA) were performed at Ball State University to analyze the levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) in saliva samples of cancer and non-cancer patients. Our findings demonstrated there was a significant increase in IgG after 8 weeks of moderate exercise in non-cancer patients 30 minutes after the treadmill test. A significant increase was also seen in salivary IgA levels after 8 weeks of moderate exercise in cancer patients 30 minutes after the treadmill test was administered, supporting our hypothesis that exercise enhances immune function. Eight weeks of moderate exercise has been shown to enhance immune function demonstrated by the increase of IgA and IgG levels in saliva. / Department of Biology

No description available.

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) and exercise immunology have been the focus of research for the past five years. Trained athletes are particularly susceptible to a wide variety of viral and bacterial infections and this has been related to oxidative damage which is a mediator of apoptosis. Apoptosis, a normal physiological mechanism has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide-variety of diseases. To date, the link between apoptosis and exercise has not been shown by established methods or ultrastructurally. The objective of the study was t.o determine the effects of a single bout of high intensity exercise on lymphocyte DNA and antioxidant status in trained athletes. The study was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, 11 trained athletes were subjected to a treadmill run to exhaustion using a ramp protocol to determine their maximum oxygen uptake (V02 max). Fifteen millimetres of blood was collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, 24 hours and 48 hours after exercise. Whole blood (4 ul) was used in the determination of DNA damage in lymphocytes using the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. The remaining blood was centrifuged and used for the following: Vitamin C concentration was determined by the 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine method, vitamin E concentration was determined by the High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method and lipid peroxides were determined by the measurement ofhydroperoxides. In the second phase, 3 trained athletes who had participated in phase 1, were subjected to a V02 max. test. Blood samples (10 ml) were collected before and immediately after exercise, 24 hours and 48 hours later. Lymphocytes were isolated using Histopaque 1077. An in situ cell death detection kit, Fluorescein was used for the detection and quantification of apoptosis in lymphocytes at a single cell level, based on labelling of DNA strand breaks. Analysis was carried out using flow cytometry. Lymphocytes were also prepared for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) using conventional techniques. The results showed that immediately after exercise there was a non-significant decrease in vitamin C concentrations (p=o, 16), and a non-significant increase in vitamin E (p=0,82) and lipid peroxide concentrations (p=0,21). There was no significant difference in all 3 levels over the 48 hour period, when compared to the pre-exercise values. The SCGE assay revealed that the immediate post exercise samples showed DNA damage in lymphocytes of all subjects as evidenced by fluorescent strands of DNA outside the cell while DNA damage was observed in only one subsequent sample. In the pre-exercise samples, DNA was visualised as a central core, whereas in all samples taken after exercise, DNA was located at the periphery or confined to one pole of the cell. The pattern of DNA distribution seen in the SCGE assay over the 48 hour period were characteristic features of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed an increase in apoptosis in lymphocytes immediately after exercise with a further increase after 24 hours. After 48 hours the numbers decreased to control levels. TEM showed that majority of cells were normal before exercise while other lymphocytes were smaller with indented nuclei. Immediately after exercise the lymphocytes displayed features of indented nuclei and microsegregation, cell shrinkage, swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and Golgi. These changes persisted after 24 hours but were not observed after 48 hours when most of the cells showed normal morphology. The ultrastructural changes observed were also characteristic features of apoptosis. These results suggest that high intensity exercise may cause an increase in apoptosis as evidenced by DNA damage in the SCGE assay and fully supported by the results achieved during flow cytometry and by the ultrastructural changes observed. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The Ironman® triathlon is an ultra-endurance event. It has previously been shown that heavy training schedules and racing ultra-endurance events can lead to immune impairment. Evidence supporting the potential role of dietary intake and body composition on immune impairment or upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is currently lacking. Aim: To investigate the relationship between dietary intake, body composition and the incidence of URTI in triathletes residing in Port Elizabeth (PE), during training and competition for the Ironman® 2011 triathlon. Method: An observational longitudinal descriptive study with an analytical component was conducted. The study population included triathletes living in PE, who completed an Ironman® distance event one year prior to, and who were training for the April 2011 Ironman®. Habitual dietary intake was assessed with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire; and race dietary strategies with a three day food record. Body composition was determined with anthropometry and the incidence of URTI was assessed with the WURSS-44. A general health screen (SF-36) was also administered. Results: Habitual dietary intake during the three months pre- and post-Ironman® 2011 triathlon was adequate for all nutrients except for carbohydrate intake in female and male participants (pre-Ironman® of 4.0 (1.7) g/kg body weight (BW)/day and 5.4 (1.8) g/kg BW/day; and post-Ironman® 3.0 (1.0) g/kg BW/day and 4.7 (1.5) g/kg BW/day respectively). Carbohydrate-loading strategies were below recommendations with intakes of 6.0 (2.9) and 5.1 (2.5) g/kg BW/day for female and male participants respectively. Race day nutrition strategies were below recommendations for carbohydrate intake. Post-race dietary intake was below recommendations for carbohydrate in the female participants (0.9 (0.5) g/kg BW). Body mass index was 26.6 (3.4) kg/m2 and 26.1 kg/m2 (1.40) for female and male study participants respectively. Body fat percentage was at the upper end for endurance athletes (29.3 (9.4) % and 13.7 (5.1) % for females and males respectively). In this study 25 % of the triathletes (N=20) developed an episode of URTI during the 3 months post-Ironman®. Dietary intake parameters measured three months pre-Ironman® that had a significant influence on URTI were: potassium (p=0.04) and thiamine (p=0.02) and dietary intake parameters measured 3 months post-Ironman® that had a significant influence on URTI were: total protein (p=0.04); isoleucine (p=0.03); leucine (p=0.03); phenylalanine (p=0.03); valine (p=0.02); thiamine (p=0.01); and Beta-tocopherol (p=0.03). Dietary intake parameters measured during the race that had a significant influence on URTI were: selenium (p=0.04); folate (p=0.04) and proline (p=0.02). Body composition did not have a significant influence on URTI. Conclusion: Habitual dietary intake three months pre- and post-Ironman® as well as pre- and post Ironman race strategies were low for carbohydrate. Body composition indicated that athletes were at the upper end associated with endurance sport. There was a relationship found between an episode of URTI and dietary intake. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Die Ironman® driekamp is 'n ultra-uithouvermoë kompetisie. Daar is voorheen bewys dat swaar oefening skedules en ultra-uithouvermoë kompetisies kan lei tot ‘n immuungebrek. Daar is tans ‘n tekort aan wetenskaplike bewyse wat die potensiële rol van dieetinname en liggaamsamestelling op immuungebrek of boonste lugweginfeksies ondersoek. Doel: Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel oor die verhouding tussen dieetinname, liggaamsamestelling en die insidensie van boonste lugweg infeksies in driekamp atlete woonagtig in Port Elizabeth (PE), tydens oefening en deelname aan die Ironman® 2011 driekamp. Metodes: 'n Waargenome, longitudinale beskrywende studie is gedoen met 'n analitiese komponent. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit driekampatlete woonagtig in PE, wat 'n Ironman® afstand kompetisie voltooi het een jaar voor en wat oefen vir die April 2011 Ironman® kompetisie. Gewoontelike dieetinname is bepaal met 'n kwantitatiewe voedselfrekwensie vraelys, en dieet strategieë rondom die byeenkoms met 'n drie dag voedselrekord. Liggaamsamestelling is bepaal met antropometrie en die insidensie van boonste lugweg infeksies is bepaal met die WURSS-44. 'n algemene gesondheid vraelys (SF- 36) is ook ingevul. Resultate: Die gewoontelike dieetinname gedurende die drie maande voor- en na-Ironman® 2011 was voldoende vir alle voedingstowwe, behalwe vir koolhidraat-inname in die vroulike en manlike deelnemers (voor Ironman® 4.0 (1.7) g / kg liggaamsmassa (LM) / dag en 5.4 (1.8) g / kg LM / dag, en na Ironman® 3.0 (1.0) g / kg LM / dag en 4.7 (1.5) g / kg LM / dag onderskeidelik). Koolhidraatlading strategieë was ontoereikend met innames van 6.0 (2.9) en 5.1 (2.5) g / kg BW / dag vir vroulike en manlike deelnemers onderskeidelik. Die inname op die dag van die byeenkoms was onvoldoende vir koolhidraat. Die dieetinname na die byeenkoms was onvoldoende vir koolhidraat inname in die vroulike deelnemers (0.9 (0.5) g / kg LM). Die liggaamsmassa-indeks was 26.6 (3.4) kg/m2 en 26.1 (1.4) kg/m2 vir vroulike en manlike deelnemers onderskeidelik. Persentasie liggaamsvet was aan die boonste grens geassosieer met uithouvermoë oefening atlete 29.3 (9.4) % en 13.7 (5.1) % vir vrouens en mans onderskeidelik. Die insidense van boonste lugweg infeksies was 25% (N=20) gedurende die drie maande na Ironman®. Dieetinname paramters wat gemeet was drie maande voor Ironman® wat beduidende beïnvloed met boonste lugweginfeksies getoon het, was, kalium (p=0.04) en tiamien (p=0.02) en die dieetinname parameters wat drie maande na Ironman® gemeet is en betekenisvolle beïnvloed getoon het met boonste lugweginfeksies was, totale proteïen (p=0.04); isoleusien (p=0.03), leusien (p=0.03), fenielalanien (p=0.03), valien (p=0.02), tiamien (p=0.01), en B-tocopherol (p=0.03). Die dieetinname parameters wat gemeet was tydens die wedloop wat beduidende beïnvloed met boonste lugweginfeksies getoon het na Ironman® 2011 was, selenium (p=0.04), folaat (p=0.04) en prolien (p=0.02). Die antropometriese parameters gemeet het nie beïnvloed op boonste lugweginfeksies gehad nie. Gevolgtrekking: Die gewoontelike dieetinname drie maande voor- en na Ironman® sowel as voor- en na Ironman® kompetisie strategieë was onvoldoende vir koolhidrate. Liggaamsamestelling het aangedui dat atlete aan die boonste grens geassosieer met uithouvermoë oefening geval het. Daar was beduidende beïnvloed gevind tussen dieetinname en boonste lugweginfeksies.