Exercise Performed Concomitantly with Particulate Matter Exposure Inhibits Lung Injury

Abstract

Air pollution is a growing problem worldwide, inducing and exacerbating several diseases. Among the several components of air pollutants, particulate matter (PM), especially thick (10-2.5 µm; PM 10) and thin (≤2.5 µm; PM 2.5), are breathable particles that easily can be deposited within the lungs, resulting in pulmonary and systemic inflammation. Although physical activity is strongly recommended, its effects when practiced in polluted environments are questionable. Therefore, the present study evaluated the pulmonary and systemic response of concomitant treadmill training with PM 2.5 and PM 10 exposure. Treadmill training inhibited PM 2.5- and PM 10-induced accumulation of total leukocytes (p<0.001), neutrophils (p<0.001), macrophages (p<0.001) and lymphocytes (p<0.001) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), as well as the BAL levels of IL-1beta (p<0.001), CXCL1/KC (p<0.001) and TNF-alpha (p<0.001), whereas it increased IL-10 levels (p<0.05). Similar effects were observed on accumulation of polymorphonuclear (p<0.01) and mononuclear (p<0.01) cells in the lung parenchyma and in the peribronchial space. Treadmill training also inhibited PM 2.5- and PM 10-induced systemic inflammation, as observed in the number of total leukocytes (p<0.001) and in the plasma levels of IL-1beta (p<0.001), CXCL1/KC (p<0.001) and TNF-alpha (p<0.001), whereas it increased IL-10 levels (p<0.001). Treadmill training inhibits lung and systemic inflammation induced by particulate matter.

The effect of upper respiratory allergy on acute respiratory response to ambient air pollution during physical exercise

“…A number of studies have indicated that air pollution may impair exercise performance and reduce the positive effects of physical activity on respiratory and cardiovascular function [7][8][9]. However, the results obtained in young adults show that, with the increase in the physical activity level, the negative physiological changes induced by air pollution can be lessened [10][11][12]. It cannot be excluded that the described distribution of acute respiratory responses following physical exercise reflects the range of ambient air pollution levels.…”

Sustaining efficient immune functions with regular physical exercise in the COVID‐19 era and beyond

“…57,64 Besides, one of the distinctive hallmarks of exercise training is its anti-inflammatory effect, which can putatively adjust appropriate elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and consequently create a favourable environment to maintain the IS function and prevention of URTI occurrence. 7,65 Interestingly, the cumulative effect of rPE associated with other healthy behaviours appears to have positive effects on VO 2 max, and this fact has been suggested to confer a decreased risk of contracting chronic respiratory diseases. 59 Complementarily, a recent study showed that VO 2 max has the potential to be used as a clinically relevant triage tool for identifying risk patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.…”

Physical Activity in Polluted Air—Net Benefit or Harm to Cardiovascular Health? A Comprehensive Review

“…Most notably, inflammation markers IL-6 and IL-1β were reduced in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), together with collagen fiber deposition and Akt phosphorylation in the lung tissue. Pulmonary inflammation in response to the PM 2.5 and PM 10 exposure of mice, as measured by the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the BAL, was significantly reduced after treadmill training [ 116 ]. Importantly, these effects also appear to be systemic: inflammation markers in the plasma, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL1/KC were also reduced in the treadmill exercise group.…”