Immunomodulatory Effects of Aerobic Training in Obesity

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Physical inactivity and obesity are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis.

We analyzed the immunomodulatory capacity of 10-week intensified exercise training (ET) in obese and lean athletes.

Markers of the innate immune response were investigated in obese (ONE: ET≤40 km/week) and lean athletes (LNE: ET≤40 km/week and LE: ET≥55 km/week).

Methods.

Circulating dendritic cells (DC) were analyzed by flow-cytometry for BDCA-1/-2-expression.

TLR-2/-4/-7 and MyD88 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot.

Circulating oxLDL levels were analyzed by ELISA.

Results.

BDCA-1 expression at baseline was lower in ONE compared to both other groups (ONE 0.15%; LNE 0.27%; LE 0.33%; P<.05), but significantly increased in ONE after training (+50%; P<.05).

In contrast, BDCA-2 expression at baseline was higher in ONE (ONE 0.25%; LNE 0.11%; LE 0.09%; P<.05) and decreased in ONE after the 10-week training period (−27%; P<.05).

Gene activations of TLR-4 and TLR-7 with corresponding protein increase were found for all three groups (P<.01/P<.05) compared to pre training.

A reduction of oxLDL levels was seen in ONE (−61%; P<.05).

Conclusions.

Intensified exercise induces an increase of BDCA-1+ DCs and TLR-4/-7 in obese athletes.

We hereby describe new immune modulatory effects, which—through regular aerobic exercise—modulate innate immunity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in obesity.