Effects of combined training on total ghrelin and tumor necrosis factor-α in obese middle-aged men

Abstract AIMS The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of combined training (CT) on total ghrelin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in obese middle-aged individuals. METHODS Twenty two obese middle-aged men (49.32 ± 5.74 years; Body mass index: 30.88 ± 1.64 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to a combined training group (CTG, n = 12) or a control group (CG, n = 10). The CT consisted of aerobic (50-85% of VO2peak) and resistance (6-10 RM) training performed three times per week, 60 min per session for 24 weeks. The anthropometric measurements, cardiorespiratory test (VO2peak), maximal strength assessment (1RM) and plasma concentrations of total ghrelin and TNF-α were determined before (Pre) and after 24 weeks (Post) of the experimental period. RESULTS Decreases were found in body fat percentage (Δ% -19.8) and waist circumference (Δ% -2.8) for CTG at the Post moment as compared to the Pre moment. In addition, the CTG demonstrated increases for VO2peak (Δ% 13.4) and for 1-RM of bench press (Δ% 78.1), leg press (Δ% 22.3) and arm curl (Δ% 19.3) at the Post moment as compared to the Pre moment. However, total ghrelin levels remained unchanged for CTG and CG after the experimental period, while TNF-α levels increased for CG (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION the CT protocol performed was not effective in repairing total ghrelin levels and was not correlated with changes in the TNF-α; however, the exercise training was able to improve body composition and functional capabilities and contained the worsening of systemic inflammation associated to obesity.

Phagocytic responses of peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils are different in rats following prolonged exercise

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of exhausting long-duration physical exercise (swimming) sessions of different durations and intensities on the number and phagocytic capacity of macrophages and neutrophils in sedentary rats. INTRODUCTION: Exercise intensity, duration and frequency are important factors in determining immune response to physical effort. Thus, the effects of exhausting long-duration exercise are unclear. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into two groups: an untreated group (macrophage study) and oyster glycogen-treated rats (neutrophil study). In each group, the animals were subdivided into five groups (10 rats per group): unexercised controls, an unadapted low-intensity exercise group, an unadapted moderate-intensity exercise group, a preadapted low-intensity exercise group and a preadapted moderate-intensity exercise group. All exercises were performed to exhaustion, and preadaptation consisted of 5, 15, 30 and 45 min sessions. RESULTS: Macrophage study: the number of peritoneal macrophages significantly decreased (9.22 ± 1.78 x 10(6)) after unadapted exercise but increased (21.50 ± 0.63 x 10(6)) after preadapted low-intensity exercise, with no changes in the moderate-intensity exercise group. Phagocytic capacity, however, increased by more than 80 percent in all exercise groups (low/moderate, unadapted/preadapted). Neutrophil study: the number of peritoneal neutrophils significantly decreased after unadapted (29.20 ± 3.34 x 10(6)) and preadapted (50.00 ± 3.53 x 10(6)) low-intensity exercise but increased after unadapted (127.60 ± 5.14 x 10(6)) and preadapted (221.80 ± 14.85 x 10(6)) moderate exercise. Neutrophil phagocytic capacity decreased by 63 percent after unadapted moderate exercise but increased by 90 percent after corresponding preadapted sessions, with no changes in the low-intensity exercise groups. CONCLUSION: Neutrophils and macrophages of sedentary rats respond differently to exercise-induced stress. Adaptation sessions reduce exercise-induced stress on the immune system.

Efeitos da suplementação de fibras solúveis sobre as células do sistema imune após exercício exaustivo em ratos treinados / Effects of soluble fibers supplementation on immune system cells after exhausting exercise in trained rats

A intensidade, volume, modalidade de exercício, assim como o nível de aptidão e fatores nutricionais podem alterar a reposta imunológica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação crônica de farelo de aveia (fonte de fibras solúveis) sobre as células do sistema imunológico em ratos treinados, frente a um teste de exaustão. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, ± dois meses, peso ± 200g, divididos em três grupos (n = 9, cada um): 1) controle sedentário (C); 2) treinado oito semanas submetido ao teste de exaustão (EX); e 3) treinado oito semanas submetido ao teste de exaustão com suplementação de 30 por cento de farelo de aveia (EXA). O treinamento consistiu de 60 minutos de natação diários, cinco dias por semana durante oito semanas. As análises realizadas foram: contagem total de leucócitos, linfócitos dos linfonodos mesentéricos, macrófagos peritoneais e capacidade fagocitária de macrófagos peritoneais. Aplicou-se o teste estatístico ANOVA two way, seguido do post hoc de Tukey com p < 0,05. O grupo EX apresentou leucocitose quando comparado com o controle, o que não ocorreu no grupo EXA, porém, na comparação entre os grupos exercitados EXA, mostrou menor leucocitose em relação a EX. Não houve alteração significativa nos linfócitos teciduais em nenhum dos grupos exercitados. Tanto o número de macrófagos peritoneais como a capacidade fagocitária desta célula foram maiores nos grupos exercitados. Porém, no grupo suplementado a capacidade fagocitária foi maior em relação ao grupo exaustão sem farelo de aveia. A suplementação de fibras solúveis demonstrou resultados benéficos com relação às alterações imunológicas induzidas pelo exercício extenuante, além de aumentar a capacidade fagocitária de macrófagos peritoniais em ratos treinados durante oito semanas submetidos ao teste de exaustão.

Exercise modality, volume, intensity, as well as physical fitness and nutritional factors may modulate the immune response. The purpose of this investigation was to verify the effects of chronic oat bran supplementation on immune cells in trained rats submitted to an extenuating test. Wistar rats (two months old), +200g weight, divided into three groups (n = 9, per group) were used: 1) a sedentary control (C) 2) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test (EX), and 3) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test with 30 percent oat bran supplementation (EXA). Training consisted of 60 daily minutes of swimming, five days a week, during eight weeks. The analyses conducted were: total leukocytes, lymphocytes from lymph nodes, peritoneal macrophages and peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity. Statistical analyses were done by the two-way ANOVA test, followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). EX group presented leukocytosis when compared to control; however, EXA group did not. In exercised group, comparison with EXA has shown lower leukocytosis in relation to EX. No significant alteration was observed for tissue lymphocytes in any of the exercised groups. The number of peritoneal macrophages as well as phagocytic capacity of this cell was higher in exercised groups. In oat bran supplemented group the phagocytic capacity was higher as compared to exhaustion group without oat bran. Soluble fibers supplementation has shown benefic results with regard to immune alterations induced by exhaustive exercise, and increased peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity in rats trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test.

Exercícios de força e parâmetros imunológicos_contagem leucocitária, inflamação e regeneração / Strength exercise and immunological parameters_ leukocytes counting, inflammation and regeneration

Recentemente, a prescrição de exercícios aeróbios, bem como sua associação com os de força, têm sido recomendados pelas principais agências normativas de saúde. Sessões agudas ou treinamento crônico promovem respostas no sistema imunológico, podendo acarretar desistência, não continuidade ou queda no desempenho nos programas de exercícios, pela aumentada susceptibilidade às infecções oportunistas, principalmente infecções do trato respiratório superior (ITRS). Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi investigar as modulações decorrentes dos exercícios de força quanto à contagem leucocitária, dano, inflamação, regeneração muscular e susceptibilidade às ITRS. Foi realizada uma revisão de periódicos nacionais e internacionais nos portais científicos da Capes, Scielo, Science Direct e Highwire. Sugere-se que a leucocitose pode ter como função, preparar o organismo para uma possível demanda celular nos músculos, constituindo-se em uma forma do sistema imunológico se antecipar às necessidades de remodelagem tecidual. A infiltração leucocitária nos tecidos danificados apresenta forte relação na ativação das células satélites e queda na força, demonstrando um padrão bi-modal de recuperação. As pequenas flutuações na contagem leucocitária, especificamente nos linfócitos, após os exercícios de força, quando comparadas aos aeróbios, parecem ser respostas agudas com pouco significado clínico, sem relação com aumento nas ITRS.

Recently, endurance exercises prescription as well as its association with strength exercises, has been recommended by main normative health societies. Acute bouts or chronic training, promote responses in immune system, possibly leading to burn out, none continuity or performance decrease in exercise programs, caused by the increased susceptibility of opportunist infections, mainly upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the modulations originated from strength exercises as leucocyte counting, damage, inflammation, muscular regeneration and susceptibility to URTI. A revision of national and international periodics was carried through scientific halls such as Capes, Scielo, Science Direct and Highwire. It is suggested that leukocytosis may exert a function of preparing the organism for possible cellular demand in muscle, so that it can be a manner by witch immunological system anticipates to tissue remodeling necessities. Leucocyte infiltration in damaged tissues presents a strong bound in satellites cells activation and strength decrease, showing a bi-modal pattern of recovery. The small fluctuations in the leucocytes counting, specifically in the lymphocytes, after strength exercises, when compared with aerobic exercises, seems to be acute responses with little clinical relevance, without relation to the increase in the URTI.