Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets associated with marathon running

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 1993-02, Vol.25 (2), p.186-190
• Main Authors: AFROZUL HAQ, KHALID AL-HUSSEIN, LEE, J, SULTAN AL-SEDAIRY
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; AIDS/HIV; Antigens, CD - immunology; Antigens, CD19; Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte - immunology; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; CD3 Complex - immunology; CD4 Antigens - immunology; CD4-CD8 Ratio; CD8 Antigens - immunology; Cell Count; Exercise - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Male; Receptors, IgG - immunology; Running - physiology; Space life sciences; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/00005768-199302000-00004

The percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes that reacted with monoclonal antibodies specific for T-lymphocytes (CD3 cells), the helper/inducer subsets (CD4 cells), and cytotoxic/suppressor subsets (CD8 cells) of T-lymphocytes, and cells with NK activity (CD16 cells) were enumerated by fluorescence-activated flow cytometry for samples obtained immediately before and after the marathon running. It was found that long-term physical exercise resulted in a significant (P < 0.04 for relative and P < 0.008 for absolute lymphocytes) reduction in CD3 cells. A significant (P < 0.009) percentage change was also observed in B lymphocytes (CD19 cells) right after the marathon. The number of NK (CD16 cells) lymphocyte subsets was significantly (P < 0.05 for relative and P < 0.03 for absolute lymphocytes) changed. No significant changes were recorded for CD4, CD8, or CD4/CD8 ratios after the marathon run. A marked leukocytosis was noticed after the endurance exercise and the mean white blood cell (WBC number was increased from 7.8 +/- 2.6 to 22.9 +/- 2.8 x 10(9) cells x 1-1) count was changed by a factor of 2.9. The mean serum cortisol was significantly (P < 0.0001) increased. No hematocrit change was recorded in subjects pre- to post-run. The results of this study demonstrated that long-term physical exercise (marathon running) influenced the T-cell subsets remarkably and produced leukocytosis that was stress dependent and correlated with the increased serum cortisol levels and not the hemoconcentration.