Increased apoptosis, changes in intracellular Ca2+, and functional alterations in lymphocytes and macrophages after in vitro exposure to static magnetic field.

Electromagnetic-related alteration of cellular functions is well documented for extremely low-frequency low-energy pulsing electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF). In this study we examined the in vitro effects of static magnetic fields (SMF) on the cellular immune parameters of the C57BI/6 murine macrophages, spleen lymphocytes, and thymic cells. The cells were exposed in vitro for 24 h at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2, to 250-1500 G SMF. Exposure to the SMF resulted in the decreased phagocytic uptake of fluorescent latex microspheres, which was accompanied by an increased intracellular Ca2+ level in macrophages. Exposure to SMF decreased mitogenic responses in lymphocytes, as determined by incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the cells. This was associated with the increased Ca2+ influx in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes. Furthermore, exposure to SMF produced markedly increased apoptosis of thymic cells, as determined by flow cytometry. Overall, in vitro exposure of immunocompetent cells to 250-1500 G SMF altered several functional parameters of C57BI/6 murine macrophages, thymocytes, and spleen lymphocytes.

In vivo indomethacin reverse exercise-induced immunosuppression in rats.

The effect of oral indomethacin on the immunosuppressive effect of exercise was examined in exercised untrained female Wistar rats immunized with sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antigens. Intensity of the 1 h exercise was controlled by 0-50 kPa air pressure, generated by a compressor located at the bottom of a water tank, during continuous swimming of the rats, previously immunized with SRBC. After 48-72 h, depending on the ip (intraperitoneal) or iv (intravenous) route of SRBC immunization, the exercise suppressed humoral PFC response and augmented phagocytosis of peritoneum macrophages. These effects occurred only when exercise was performed at 48 h after antigen injection. Animals receiving indomethacin, however, did not show any exercise-related suppression of the PFC response. The data suggest a relationship between exercise-induced immunosuppression and possible increased in vivo prostaglandin synthesis during the intense exercise. Overall, exercise-related suppression of humoral PFC response was dependent on the intensity of the exercise, was time specific, and was reversible by pharmacological blockade of the cyclooxygenase pathway of prostaglandin synthesis.

Modulation of exercise-induced immunosuppression by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in mice.

The possible interaction between intense exercise, known to suppress the immune response, and nutritive factors, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), was examined in inbred female C57Bl/6 mice. The animals received for 8 wk either a natural ingredient diet or a diet supplemented with 10 g/100 g linseed oil containing over 50% of 18:3 (n-3) alpha-linoleic acid. Other groups received PUFA containing only traces of 18:3 (n-3) fatty acid; beef tallow, containing mostly 18:1 (n-9) saturated fat, safflower oil, an 18:2 (n-6) PUFA, and fish oil, containing longer chain (n-3) PUFA. Each dietary group was divided into two subgroups: sedentary diet controls and exercised animals. Exercise consisted of continuous swimming at high intensity until exhaustion. It was shown in three separate experiments that (1) the primary humoral response to sheep red blood cells, determined by the plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, was affected by PUFA diet in sedentary animals in the order beef tallow > control diet > safflower oil > fish oil > linseed oil, and (2) the PFC response was suppressed by the exhaustive exercise, as compared to sedentary controls, except for animals fed 18:3 (n-3) linseed oil, where the normal response was noted. Phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres by peritoneal macrophages, determined by flow cytometry, was significantly lower in exercised animals receiving the linseed oil diet, whereas other diets either increased or did not significantly change the macrophage phagocytic activity, compared to the sedentary diet controls. Spleen lymphocyte subsets were unchanged in exercised animals except for a marked shift from the lymphoid peak toward the erythroid peak. Generally, our data showed a marked immunomodulatory effect of 18-3 (n-3) alpha-linoleic acid on the exhaustive exercise-related immunosuppression, as compared to the effects of other selected PUFA.