Background – Pro-inflammatory cytokines are released in response to conditions of stress such as trauma, surgery, burns, sepsis and exercise. Exercise has been suggested to affect the immune system in a J curve, where moderate exercise improves immune function and chronic exercise impairs the immune system and increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infection [1, 2].
Objective – The objective of the study was to determine the effect of acute maximal exercise on plasma markers of inflammation, carotenoids and fatty acids in healthy endurance athletes and untrained adults.
Design – Twenty endurance trained athletes and 15 sedentary adults completed an overnight fasting treadmill VO2max test, a 7-day physical activity record and a 4-day weighed food record. Blood was collected at baseline and post-exercise for the analysis of inflammatory markers, fatty acids and carotenoids in plasma.
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Outcomes–Plasmamonocyteconcentration(x10 cells/ml)significantlyincreased(P<0.001)inallparticipants
from baseline (1.35 + 0.33) to post-exercise (2.65 + 1.10). Athlete monocyte concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at baseline (1.44 + 0.37) and post-exercise (3.00 + 0.80) compared to sedentary adults (1.25 + 0.24, 2.23 + 1.29). There was no difference in the plasma inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF-alpha and LTB4 at baseline and post-exercise. Acute maximal exercise significantly increased plasma lutein/zeaxanthin (P < 0.001), beta- cryptoxanthin (P < 0.001) and lycopene (P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) significantly increased but total fatty acids remained unchanged in response to exercise.
Conclusion – In healthy human adults acute maximal exercise can increase plasma monocyte, carotenoid and NEFA concentration without a change in inflammatory mediators.
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