Repeated exercise in mice alters expression of IL-10 and TNF-alpha in intestinal lymphocytes

Brain Behav Immun. 2008 Feb;22(2):195-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2007.07.002. Epub 2007 Aug 27.

Abstract

Intestinal inflammation is characterized by mucosal damage that may arise, in part, to imbalances in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of repeated bouts of strenuous exercise on cytokine expression in mouse intestinal lymphocytes (IL). Thirty-four female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups: three repeated bouts of treadmill running separated by 24h followed by sacrifice immediately or after a 24h period or a sedentary (no exercise) control. The pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, were measured in IL by Western blotting. IL-10 concentration increased by 48% (p<0.05) in the immediate group compared to the sedentary control. TNF-alpha levels in mouse IL were significantly lower 24h after completion of the exercise protocol compared to the immediate group (p<0.05). The results suggest a possible physiological compensation in which intestinal lymphocytes increase the expression of IL-10 in response to exercise-induced stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peyer's Patches / cytology
  • Peyer's Patches / immunology*
  • Peyer's Patches / metabolism
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal*
  • Stress, Physiological / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10