Increased Circulating Anti-inflammatory Cells in Marathon-trained Runners

Abstract Exercise training can alter immune function. Marathon training has been associated with an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and an increased activity of inflammatory-based diseases, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare levels of cir...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of sports medicine 2015-10, Vol.94 (10), p.832-836
Main Authors: Rehm, K., Sunesara, I., Marshall, G. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disease Susceptibility - immunology
Female
Humans
Immunology
Male
Middle Aged
Physical Education and Training
Physical Endurance - physiology
Running - physiology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism
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Summary:Abstract Exercise training can alter immune function. Marathon training has been associated with an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and an increased activity of inflammatory-based diseases, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare levels of circulating CD4  +   T cell subsets in the periphery of marathon-trained runners and matched non-marathon controls. 19 recreational marathoners that were 4 weeks from running a marathon and 19 demographically-matched healthy control subjects had the percentage of CD4  +   T cell subpopulations (T helper 1, T helper 2, T helper 1/T helper 2 ratio, regulatory T cells, CD4 + IL10 + , and CD4 + TGFβ + (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) measured by flow cytometry. Marathon-trained runners had significantly less T helper 1 and regulatory T cells and significantly more T helper 2, CD4  +  IL10  +  , and TGFβ  +   cells than the control subjects. The alterations in the percentage of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells led to a significantly lower T helper 1/T helper 2 ratio in the marathon-trained runners. These data suggest that endurance-based training can increase the number of anti-inflammatory cells. This may be a potential mechanism for the increased incidence of both infectious and inflammatory diseases observed in endurance athletes.
ISSN:0172-4622
1439-3964
DOI:10.1055/s-0035-1547218