Int J Sports Med 2003; 24(7): 541-547
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42018
Immunology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Immune and Oxidative Changes During and Following the Western States Endurance Run

D.  C.  Nieman1 , C.  I.  Dumke1 , D.  A.  Henson1 , S.  R.  McAnulty1 , L.  S.  McAnulty1 , R.  H.  Lind1 , J.  D.  Morrow2
  • 1Departments of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science; Biology; Family and Consumer Sciences; Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
  • 2Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennesse, USA
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Accepted after revision: March 15, 2003

Publikationsdatum:
10. September 2003 (online)

Abstract

Changes in immune and oxidative stress parameters were measured in ultramarathon runners competing in the 160-km Western States Endurance Run. Forty-five runners agreed to provide blood and saliva samples the morning before the race event, at the 90-km aid station, and 5 - 10 min post-race. Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) during the two-week period post-race was assessed retrospectively by telephone interviews. Forty subjects completed 90-km (race time, 13.1 ± 0.3 h), and 31 completed the 160-km race event (27.0 ± 0.4 h). The blood neutrophil and monocyte counts rose 249 % and 214 %, respectively, in the 31 finishers. Salivary IgA (sIgA) secretion rate decreased significantly from 508 ± 40 µg/min pre-race, to 287 ± 39 µg/min at 90-km, and 254 ± 30 µg/min post-race (50 % decrease). Significant increases were measured in cytokines at 90-km and post-race, with post-race IL-10 increasing 9.5-fold, IL-1ra 6.1-fold, IL-6 50.2-fold, and IL-8 2.5-fold over pre-race levels. Post-race indicators of oxidative stress, F2-isoprostane and lipid hydroperoxides, increased 33 % and 88 %, respectively. Pearson product-moment correlations revealed positive correlations at 90-km between F2-isoprostane and IL-6 (r = 0.31, p = 0.048), IL-10 (r = 0.31, p = 0.050), and IL-8 (r = 0.43, p = 0.005), but no other significant relationships between immune and oxidative stress indicators at 90-km and post-race. In the group of runners completing at least 90 km of the race, 26 % reported an URTI episode during the two-week period post-race. A low sIgA secretion rate at 90-km was the best predictor of post-race URTI (173 ± 34 µg/min in those who later acquired URTI compared to 325 ± 40 µg/min in those without URTI, p = 0.007). In conclusion, a modest correlation was found between cytokines and F2-isoprostane at 90-km when the greatest oxidative stress occurred, but no other significant correlations in immune and oxidative stress indicators during and following a 160-km ultramarathon race event were noted. About one in four ultramarathoners reported URTI during the two-week period post-race, and a low sIgA secretion rate mid-race best predicted URTI occurrence.

References

  • 1 Allesio H, Hagerman A E, Fulkerson B K, Ambrose J, Rice R E, Wiley R L. Generation of reactive oxygen species after exhaustive aerobic and isometric exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1576-1581
  • 2 Askew E. Work at high altitude and oxidative stress: antioxidant nutrients.  Toxicology. 2002;  180 107-119
  • 3 Azenabor A A, Hoffman-Goetz L. Intrathymic and intrasplenic oxidative stress mediates thymocyte and splenocyte damage in acutely exercised mice.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  86 1823-1827
  • 4 Benzie I FF, Strain J J. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay.  Anal Biochem. 1996;  239 70-76
  • 5 Bradford M M. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding.  Anal Biochem. 1976;  72 248-254
  • 6 de la Fuente M. Effects of antioxidants on immune system aging.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;  56 5-8
  • 7 Dill D B, Costill D L. Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration.  J Appl Physiol. 1974;  37 247-248
  • 8 Esposito K, Nappo F, Marfella R, Giugliano G, Giugliano F, Ciotola M, Quagliaro L, Ceriello A, Giugliano D. Inflammatory cytokine concentrations are acutely increased by hyperglycemia in humans: role of oxidative stress.  Circulation. 2002;  106 2067-2072
  • 9 Gleeson M, Hall S T, McDonald W A, Flanagan A J, Clancy R L. Salivary IgA subclasses and infection risk in elite swimmers.  Immunol Cell Biol. 1999;  77 351-355
  • 10 Gleeson M, McDonald W A, Pyne D B, Clancy R L, Cripps A W, Francis J L, Fricker P A. Immune status and respiratory illness for elite swimmers during a 12-week training cycle.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 302-307
  • 11 Haddad J J, Fahlman C S. Redox- and oxidant-mediated regulation of interleukin-10: an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant cytokine.  Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002;  297 163-176
  • 12 Ji L L. Exercise-induced modulation of antioxidant defense.  Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002;  959 82-92
  • 13 Mastaloudis A, Leonard S W, Traber M G. Oxidative stress in athletes during extreme endurance exercise.  Free Radic Biol Med. 2001;  31 911-922
  • 14 McAnulty S R, McAnulty L S, Nieman D C, Dumke C, Utter A C, Morrow J D, Henson D A, Proulx W R, George G L. Effect of blueberry phytochemicals and vitamin C on oxidative stress and immune changes following exercise in the heat.  Free Radic Res. in press
  • 15 Mooren F, Lechtermann A, Fromme A, Thorwesten L, Volker K. Alterations in intracellular calcium signaling of lymphocytes after exhaustive exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 242-248
  • 16 Morrow J D, Roberts L J. The isoprostanes: Unique bioactive products of lipid peroxidation.  Prog Lipid Res. 1997;  36 1-21
  • 17 Nieman D C. Immune response to heavy exertion.  J Appl Physiol. 1997;  82 1385-1394.
  • 18 Nieman D C, Henson D A, Fagoaga O R, Utter A C, Vinci D M, Davis J M, Nehlsen-Cannarella S L. Change in salivary IgA following a competitive marathon race.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  23 69-75
  • 19 Nieman D C, Henson D A, McAnulty S R, McAnulty L, Swick N S, Utter A C, Vinci D M, Opiela S J, Morrow J D. Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and immune changes following an ultramarathon.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  92 1970-1977
  • 20 Nieman D C, Henson D A, Smith L L, Utter A C, Vinci D M, Davis J M, Kaminsky D E, Shute M. Cytokine changes after a marathon race.  J Appl Physiol. 2001;  91 109-114
  • 21 Nieman D C, Johansen L M, Lee J W, Cermak J, Arabatzis K. Infectious episodes in runners before and after the Los Angeles Marathon.  J Sports Med Phys Fit. 1990;  30 316-328
  • 22 Nieman D C, Peters E M, Henson D A, Nevines E I, Thompson M M. Influence of vitamin C supplementation on cytokine changes following an ultramarathon.  J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2000;  20 1029-1035
  • 23 Ostrowski K, Rohde T, Asp S, Schjerling P, Pedersen B K. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in strenuous exercise in humans.  J Physiol. 1999;  515(Pt 1) 287-291
  • 24 Ostrowski K, Schjerling P, Pedersen B K. Physical activity and plasma interleukin-6 in humans - effect of intensity of exercise.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  83 512-515
  • 25 Pistilli E E, Nieman D C, Henson D A, Kaminsky D E, Utter A C, Vinci D M, Davis J M, Fagoaga O R, Nehlsen-Cannarella S L. Influence of age on immune changes in runners after a marathon.  J Aging Physical Activity. 2002;  10 432-442
  • 26 Roberts L J, Morrow J D. Products of the isoprostane pathway: unique bioactive compounds and markers of lipid peroxidation.  Cell Mol Life Sci. 2002;  59 808-820
  • 27 Schmidt M C, Askew E W, Roberts D E, Prior R L, Ensign W Y, Hesslink R E. Oxidative stress in humans training in a cold, moderate altitude environment and their response to a phytochemical antioxidant supplement.  Wilderness Environ Med. 2002;  13 94-105
  • 28 Sofic E, Rustembegovic A, Kroyer G, Cao G. Serum antioxidant capacity in neurological, psychiatric, renal diseases and cardiomyopathy.  J Neural Transm. 2002;  109 711-719
  • 29 Splettstoesser W D, Schuff-Werner P. Oxidative stress in phagocytes - ”the enemy within“.  Microsc Res Tech. 2002;  57 441-455
  • 30 Steerenberg P A, van Asperen I A, van Nieuw Amerongen A, Biewenga A, Mol D, Medema G J. Salivary levels of immunoglobulin A in triathletes.  Eur J Oral Sci. 1997;  105 305-309
  • 31 Suzuki K, Yamada M, Kurakake S, Okamura N, Yamaya K, Liu Q, Kudoh S, Kowatari K, Nakaji S, Sugawara K. Circulating cytokines and hormones with immunosuppressive but neutrophil-priming potentials rise after endurance exercise in humans.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  81 281-287
  • 32 Tomasi T B, Trudeau F B, Czerwinski D, Erredge S. Immune parameters in athletes before and after strenuous exercise.  J Clin Immunol. 1982;  2 173-178
  • 33 Vider J, Lehtmaa J, Kullisaar T, Vihalemm T, Zilmer K, Kairane C, Landor A, Karu T, Zilmer M. Acute immune response in respect to exercise-induced oxidative stress.  Pathophysiology. 2001;  7 263-270
  • 34 Vina J, Gomez-Cabrera M, Lloret A, Marquez R, Minana J B, Pallardo F V, Sastre J. Free radicals in exhaustive exercise: Mechanisms of production, and protection by antioxidants.  IUBMB Life. 2000;  50 271-277

D. C. Nieman, Dr.PH, FACSM

Department of Health & Exercise Science

Appalachian State University · Boone · North Carolina 28608 · USA

Telefon: +1 828 262 6318

Fax: +1 828 262 3138

eMail: niemandc@appstate.edu