The Impact of Exercise on Immunity, Metabolism, and Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Physical exercise represents an effective preventive and therapeutic strategy beneficially modifying the course of multiple diseases. The protective mechanisms of exercise are manifold; primarily, they are elicited by alterations in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Exercise intensity and duration strongly influence the provoked response. This narrative review aims to provide comprehensive up-to-date insights into the beneficial effects of physical exercise by illustrating the impact of moderate and vigorous exercise on innate and adaptive immunity. Specifically, we describe qualitative and quantitative changes in different leukocyte subsets while distinguishing between acute and chronic exercise effects. Further, we elaborate on how exercise modifies the progression of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death worldwide, representing a prime example of a disease triggered by metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Here, we describe how exercise counteracts causal contributors and thereby improves outcomes. In addition, we identify gaps that still need to be addressed in the future.

Association of Higher N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption and Aerobic Exercise with Lower Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio: Implications of Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Fish Consumption

“…Aerobic exercise may lower systemic inflammation by modifying inflammation-immune interaction, resulting in lower ASCVD risk [8]. Thus, the aerobic antiinflammatory effect may reduce neutrophil count, a measure of inflammation, and increase lymphocyte count, especially regulatory T cells (CD25 + and CD8 + T cells), a measure of immune action [8,25], resulting in a lower NLR. The anti-inflammatory effects of aerobic Fig.…”

“…exercise may be induced by reduction of inflammation in the arterial walls caused by the amelioration of risk factors for atherosclerosis [8].…”

“…Aerobic exercise may lower systemic inflammation by modifying inflammation-immune interaction, resulting in lower ASCVD risk [8]. Thus, the aerobic anti-inflammatory effect may reduce neutrophil count, a measure of inflammation, and increase lymphocyte count, especially regulatory T cells (CD25 + and CD8 + T cells), a measure of immune action [8, 25], resulting in a lower NLR. The anti-inflammatory effects of aerobic exercise may be induced by reduction of inflammation in the arterial walls caused by the amelioration of risk factors for atherosclerosis [8].…”

“…Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle may be associated with lower chronic inflammation [6,7]. Specifically, a healthy lifestyle including aerobic exercise, regulates the immune system, leading to anti-inflammatory effects [8]. Inadequate (short or long) sleep also leads to high white blood cell (WBC) counts, indicating chronic inflammation [9].…”

No causal association between the volume of strenuous exercise and coronary atherosclerosis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…These may further reduce the risk of cardiovascular events ( 25 ). Although SE could promote the expression of inflammation in the short term, in the long run, SE could also promote the anti-inflammatory phenotype transformation of lymphocytes and monocytes, thus promoting the anti-inflammatory effect and affecting the progression and development of atherosclerosis ( 26 ). Therefore, due to the complexity of the mechanism of action, some of the above studies support the link between SE and atherosclerotic plaque, perhaps through unknown underlying factors such as blood pressure, hormones, and diet.…”