T helper cell-related changes in peripheral blood induced by progressive effort among soccer players

Abstract

The regulatory mechanisms affecting the modulation of the immune system accompanying the progressive effort to exhaustion, particularly associated with T cells, are not fully understood. We analysed the impact of two progressive effort protocols on T helper (Th) cell distribution and selected cytokines. Methods Sixty-two male soccer players with a median age of 17 (16-29) years performed different protocols for progressive exercise until exhaustion: YO-YO (YYRL1) and Beep. Blood samples for all analyses were taken three times: at baseline, post-effort, and in recovery. Results The percentage of Th1 cells increased post-effort and in recovery. The post-effort percentage of Th1 cells was higher in the Beep group compared to the YYRL1 group. Significant post-effort increase in Th17 cells was observed in both groups. The post-effort percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg) increased in the Beep group. An increased post-effort concentration of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-γ in both groups was observed. Post-effort TNF-α and IL-10 levels were higher than baseline in the YYRL1 group, while the post-effort IL-17A concentration was lower than baseline only in the Beep group. The recovery IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were higher than baseline in the YYRL1 group. The recovery IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ values were higher than baseline in the Beep group. Conclusion The molecular patterns related to cytokine secretion are not the same between different protocols for progressive effort. It seems that Treg cells are probably the key cells responsible for silencing the inflammation and enhancing anti-inflammatory pathways.

Differential Th Cell-Related Immune Responses in Young Physically Active Men after an Endurance Effort

“…In the oldest groups, an increase in Th2 cell-related cytokines was seen, yet there were no changes in Th2 cell percentage. Those findings are in line with our previous study, which showed no changes in Th2 cells’ distribution in junior groups of soccer players [ 21 , 22 ]. One of the probable explanations of this observation is that the changes in Th2 cell-related cytokines promote Th17 cell-related pathways of the post-effort immune response.…”

“…The CD4 + FoxP3 + (Treg) cells are also involved in post-effort immune modulation because of their role as central anti-inflammatory regulators of the immune response [ 16 , 18 ]. The participation of T cells in the modulation of immunity during maximal effort has been described in athletes [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. On the other hand, numerous physically active young men, even though they are not professional athletes, use professional training programs to improve their physical fitness.…”

Effect of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise on the Complement System of Proteins in Healthy Young Males

“…From this viewpoint, it seems that the endurance effort (Beep test) exerts an immunomodulatory effect among young physically active men. This observation is in line with our previous study describing the impact of endurance-type exercise on T cells in the peripheral blood of young soccer players [24,25,27].…”

“…We present evidence that each type of effort caused different immune responses in physically active young men regarding the complement system. Knowing that the complement system takes part in the activation and differentiation of T cells, as well as maintaining immunological memory and that different T cell subsets are altered in post-effort immune response depending of the type of exercise [24][25][26][27], it could lead to the speculation that aerobic and anaerobic exercise may have different types of impact on the post-effort susceptibility to upper respiratory illness, which is described as "open window theory". It may be explained by different molecular mechanism with the participation of the complement system.…”

“…In fact, there are works evidencing its involvement in post-effort immunity [21][22][23]. Combining knowledge of T cells in post-effort immune response [24][25][26][27][28][29] and the contribution of the complement system to the activation and differentiation of T cells, as well as maintaining immunological memory, could bridge the gap between immunomodulation and immunodepression following an acute bout of intensive exercise. This itself provides a framework to better explain the "open window theory" [30].…”