Does training affect mRNA transciption for cytokine production in circulating leucocytes?

This research investigates whether physical training affects the mRNA transcription involved in cytokine production in the immune cells of horses, focusing on specific cytokines like IL-1beta, IL-2, and others. Key findings indicate that training does not significantly affect certain cytokine levels, but it does affect others, potentially impacting the horse’s susceptibility to disease and their response to exercise.

Methodology

• For this study, five previously rested Thoroughbred horses were put through a training regimen. The training included walking, trotting, and cantering/galloping with increasing intensity each week.
• Blood samples were taken from the horses before they began training and then weekly throughout the training period.
• The researchers measured the transcription of mRNA within the leukocytes (white blood cells) using real-time TaqMan quantitative PCR.
• The study focused on the production of several cytokines: IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha.

Findings

• The training regimen and intense exercise did not significantly affect the transcription levels for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10.
• IL-1beta and TNF-alpha transcription increased on Day 23, with TNF-alpha peaking on Day 23 and IL-1beta on Day 30. However, neither cytokine demonstrated a significant response to intense exercise.
• IL-1ra decreased significantly on Day 9, then rose significantly between Day 9 and Days 16, 23, 30, and 37 compared to Day 9. There was a slight increase after intense exercise on Day 56.

Implications

• The researchers suggest that changes in leukocyte cytokine responses could influence a horse’s susceptibility to infectious diseases, their metabolic responses to exercise, or exercise-induced syndromes.
• Thus, this research could have implications for managing the health and performance of sport horses, particularly regarding their training regiments and disease prevention strategies.