EFFECT OF 12-WEEK LOW-INTENSITY EXERCISE ON INTERLEUKIN-2, INTERFERON-GAMMA AND INTERLEUKIN-4 CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN RAT SPLEENS

Background and Objective

High-intensity exercise has been linked to immunity; however, the relationship between low-intensity exercise and the immune system is unclear. In this study, the effects of exercise on cytokine production in T helper 1 (interleukin-2 [IL-2] and interferon-gamma [INF-γ]) and T helper 2 cells (interleukin-4 [IL-4]) in spleens were investigated.

Material and Methods

Sprague–Dawley male rats were divided into a control group (CON, n = 10) and a low-intensity exercise group (EX, n = 10). EX rats were trained on a treadmill (8 m/min, 50 min/day, 5 times over 12 weeks). Spleen tissues were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and real-time PCR to quantify IL-4, INF-γ, and IL-2 expression.

Results

IL-4 expression was significantly higher in the EX group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). However, IL-2 and INF-γ expression did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

These results suggest that exercise in rats enhances immune function by regulating cytokine production in T helper type 2 (IL-4) cells, but not in T helper type 1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) cells of the activated spleen.

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