Influx of neutrophils and persistence of cytokine expression in airways of horses after performing exercise while breathing cold air.
Abstract: To determine effects of exercise performed while breathing cold air on expression of cytokines and influx of neutrophils in airways of horses. Methods: 9 adult horses. Methods: In a crossover study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained 24 and 48 hours after each of 2 submaximal exercise sessions performed by horses while breathing warm (25 degrees C) or cold (-5 degrees C) air. Total and differential nucleated cell counts were determined for each BALF sample. Relative mRNA expression of cytokines in BALF cells was quantified by use of a reverse transcription-PCR assay. Results: Horses had a modest but significant influx of neutrophils into the airways 24 hours after a single exercise session while breathing cold air. No other cell types were increased at 24 or 48 hours after exercising while breathing cold air. Continued increases in expression of cytokines interleukin (IL)-5 and-10 as well as proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, -6, and -8 were detected 24 hours after exercising while breathing cold air. Forty-eight hours after exercising while breathing cold air, expression of IL-10 was still higher than that for IL-10 after horses exercised while breathing warm air. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly increased at 48 hours after exercising while breathing cold air. Conclusions: Exposure of intrapulmonary airways to cold air alters immunologic responses of horses for at least 48 hours. The increased expression of cytokines that suppress cell-mediated immunity may predispose athletes to viral infections of the respiratory tract following exercise in cold weather.
Publication Date: 2007-02-03 PubMed ID: 17269885DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.2.185Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of performing exercise in cold air on the expression of cytokines and influx of neutrophils in the airways of horses and suggests that exposure to cold air can modify the immune response in horses.
Research Methods
- The experiment was conducted with a total of 9 adult horses.
- The study relied on a crossover design, where each horse underwent two submaximal exercise sessions, alternately breathing warm (25 degrees C) or cold (-5 degrees C) air.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), an instrument used to investigate lung diseases, was collected from the horses 24 and 48 hours after each exercise session.
- Cell counts were performed in each BALF sample to determine total and differential nucleated cell counts.
- The researchers utilized a reverse transcription-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay, a method used to rapidly reproduce (amplify) select sections of DNA or RNA for analysis, to quantify relative mRNA expression of cytokines in BALF cells.
Research Results
- The horses demonstrated a minor yet significant increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the airways 24 hours after a single exercise session in cold air.
- No other cell types were found increased at 24 or 48 hours after performing exercise in cold air.
- The expression of cytokines, which are small proteins important in cell signaling, like interleukin (IL)-5 and -10 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, -6, and -8, were found increased 24 hours after the exercise in cold air.
- Expression of IL-10 remained elevated 48 hours post-exercise in cold air, compared to the expression of the same while exercising in warm air.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a cell signaling protein involved in inflammation, had significantly increased expression at 48 hours post-exercise in the cold air.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that exposing the airways of horses to cold air modifies their immune responses for at least 48 hours.
- The amplified expression of cytokines which inhibit cell-mediated immunity might make athletes more susceptible to viral infections of the respiratory tract after exercising in cold weather.
Cite This Article
APA
Davis MS, Williams CC, Meinkoth JH, Malayer JR, Royer CM, Williamson KK, McKenzie EC.
(2007).
Influx of neutrophils and persistence of cytokine expression in airways of horses after performing exercise while breathing cold air.
Am J Vet Res, 68(2), 185-189.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.2.185 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Air
- Animals
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Cold Temperature
- Cytokines / metabolism
- Female
- Lung / metabolism
- Male
- Neutrophils / metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Grant Funding
- R01RR016109-01A2 / NCRR NIH HHS
Citations
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