Repeated high-intensity Wingate cycle bouts influence markers of lymphocyte migration but not apoptosis

Abstract

Studies have shown significant changes in lymphocytes during continuous exercise, but little has been shown on the effect of repeated high intensity bouts. This study was designed to examine the effect of repeated intermittent bouts on lymphocyte subset cell count, apoptosis, and migration. A series of 6 Wingate anaerobic cycle tests were performed by participants (N = 8) with blood samples attained before, immediately following, and after a designated recovery period (excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC)) to observe lymphocyte changes. Lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD4/CD45RA+, CD8+, CD8+/CD45RA+, CD19+) were assessed for apoptosis (annexin V+) and cellular migration (CX(3)CR1). Our results indicate that the CD8+ and CD8+/CD45RA+ subsets were significantly influenced by the repetitive Wingate cycling protocol such that cell counts increased with exercise, and then decreased at EPOC termination (p = 0.016). The observed postexercise decrease in CD8+ and CD8+/CD45RA+ cells was accompanied by a significant change in the CX(3)CR1 cell migration receptor (p = 0.019), but not apoptosis (p = 0.87). This indicates that with repetitive high-intensity cycling, the response in CD8+ cells following the bout is likely due to cell migration rather than cell death.

Leukocyte Responsiveness to Exercise in Individuals Positive for Human Cytomegalovirus

“…Lymphocytopenia, defined as a significant decrease in circulating lymphocytes, was not seen in this study as it has been seen in previous studies [2,4,10]. This could possibly be due to the fact that previous studies which saw this effect found the significance exclusively in CD8 T cells at the highest exercise intensities utilized within their respective exercise protocols [2,4,10], whereas we analyzed whole lymphocytes, which include CD4, CD8, memory T cells, naïve B cells, B plasma cells, and memory B cells. A synthesis of these 2 findings may suggest a significant increase in one or more types of circulating lymphocytes in the post-exercise period, which would result in the effects seen here.…”

“…Although not measured in the present investigation, previous studies have shown lymphocyte cell count to be influenced by changes in catecholamine levels [6]. Lymphocytopenia, defined as a significant decrease in circulating lymphocytes, was not seen in this study as it has been seen in previous studies [2,4,10]. This could possibly be due to the fact that previous studies which saw this effect found the significance exclusively in CD8 T cells at the highest exercise intensities utilized within their respective exercise protocols [2,4,10], whereas we analyzed whole lymphocytes, which include CD4, CD8, memory T cells, naïve B cells, B plasma cells, and memory B cells.…”

“…The drop in circulating lymphocytes at 30 and 60 min post-exercise when compared to the pre-exercise sampling condition was possibly due to both apoptosis and cellular migration. This is a feasible conclusion due to previous investigations that have shown both apoptosis [7][8][9] and cellular migration [4] to contribute to exercise-induced lymphocytopenia. It is also reasonable to postulate that due to the high-intensity nature of the exercise protocol and previous findings in the literature regarding exercise intensity [10], cellular migration may have had a greater contribution than apoptosis to the aforementioned drop in circulating lymphocytes at 30 and 60 min post-exercise when compared to the pre-exercise sampling condition due to the high-intensity nature of the exercise protocol.…”

“…Emerging research suggests that the lymphocyte immune response during exercise is significantly increased in individuals who are positive for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV + ) [15]. Specifically, certain lymphocyte subsets (namely, CD8 + T cells) have been shown to increase in circulating volume, termed lymphocytosis, as exercise intensity increases, and undergo a significant drop in cell volume for up to 2 h in the post-exercise period, termed lymphocytopenia [2,4,10]. An investigation conducted by Patlar (2010) found that neutrophils significantly increase 2 h post-exercise when compared to pre-exercise and immediate post-exercise values, and additionally found that circulating monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils significantly decreased both immediately post-exercise and 2 h post-exercise when compared to pre-exercise measurements [11].…”

Acute Hematological and Inflammatory Responses to High-intensity Exercise Tests: Impact of Duration and Mode of Exercise

“…On the other hand, the lymphocytopenia observed post-exercise could be a result of immune cell migration [42], apoptosis [11] or both [24]. Considering the effect of 6 series of Wingate anaerobic cycle tests on lymphocyte apoptosis and migration, it was reported that post-exercise lymphocytopenia was a result of immune cell migration, particularly the suppressor T cell subset, rather than apoptosis [11]. Observations based on intensive treadmill running protocol at 80 % maximal O 2 uptake, provided evidence that the mobilized lymphocytes appeared to extravasate the peripheral blood compartment [42].…”