Granulocyte activation induced by intense interval running

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology 1993-05, Vol.53 (5), p.591-597
• Main Authors: Gray, A.B., Telford, R.D., Collins, M., Baker, M.S., Weidemann, M.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Biological and medical sciences; CD16; CDllb; CR3; degranulation; elastase; Exercise Test; FCyR; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; granules; Granulocytes - chemistry; Granulocytes - cytology; Granulocytes - physiology; Humans; Immunobiology; lactoferrin; Lactoferrin - blood; Macrophage-1 Antigen - analysis; Male; Modulation of the immune response (stimulation, suppression); monoclonal antibody; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Pancreatic Elastase - blood; Running - physiology; Spectrophotometry; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1002/jlb.53.5.591

Activation of granulocytes has been associated with normal immune function, inflammation, and exercise‐induced muscle damage. The effect of intense interval running on granulocyte activation was examined by use of flow cytometry, monoclonal antibodies, and spectrophotometric techniques. Eight trained males [maximal oxygen uptake Vo2max, mean (SD) = 64.4 (3.6) ml/kg/min; age 30.1 (4.8) years] undertook an intense interval exercise (treadmill running) protocol to exhaustion. Subjects completed an average of 16.5 one‐ minute runs. Granulocyte expression of CR3 (GDI lb), receptor for complement component C3bi (6 and 24 h post‐test), and FcγRIII (GD16) (24 h post‐test) and the plasma concentration of elastase‐inhibitor complex (1 h post‐test) increased significantly (all P < .05). Subjects (8 of 8) exhibited a post‐test decrease at either 1 or 6 h (P < .01) and a 24‐h post‐test significant increase (7 of 8; P < .05) in granulocyte 90° light scattering (LS). Plasma lactoferrin (Lf) concentration, although increased by 17% at 6 h post‐test, was not significantly different from resting values at any sampling point. Changes in plasma Lf and median channel 90° LS were significantly correlated (r = ‐ .43, P = .04), raising the possibility of monitoring exercise‐induced granulocyte activation (degranulation) by flow cytometry. Intense interval exercise appears to induce granulocyte activation, as manifested by release of granule proteins and changes in 90° LS and expression of both Fc and complement receptors.