Effects of moderate exercise on lymphocyte number and Th1/Th2 balance in rats under chronic psychological stress
10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2009.50.027
- VernacularTitle:中等负荷运动对慢性心理应激大鼠淋巴细胞数量和Th1/Th2平衡的影响
- Author:
Yan ZHAO
;
Chun WANG
;
Yu WANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research
2009;13(50):9933-9936
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have proved that stress can affect immunity function and disturb homeostasis of bodies. Moderate exercise can alleviate the psychological stress reaction to some degree.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moderate exercise on lymphocyte number in spleen and mesenteric lymph nod,interferon-y (IFN-γ) and interleukine-4(IL-4) level in serum, as well as Th1/Th2 balance in rats under chronic psychological stress.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized control animal experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Sports Human Science in Chengdu Sports University from May to October in 2007.MATERIALS: A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were divided by random digits table into 4 groups: control group, psychological stress group, exercise group and exercise+psychological stress group, with 10 ones in each group.METHODS: Before experiment, rats in exercise group and exercise+psychological stress group underwent 3 days of adaptive swimming training, 30 min/(t·d). During experiment, they were made swimming with no weight loading for 8 weeks, 60 min/(t·d).From day 2 post exercise on, rats in exercise+psychological stress group began to undergo the 21 days of chronic restraint stress,6 hours per day. At the same time, the chronic restraint stress models were established in the psychological stress group. Rats in the exercise group were fed for 22 days since the 8~(th) day of exercise ended. Rats in the control group were only fed without any intervention.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The lymphocyte number in spleen and mesenteric lymph node was measured, and ELISA was employed to measure IFN-y and IL-4 levels as well as the ratio of IFN-y/IL-4 in serum.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the lymphocyte number, the level of IFN-y and the ratio of IFN-y/IL-4 were significantly decreased in psychological stress group (P < 0.01 ), and the Thlf'rh2 balance was broken. Compared with the psychological group, the exercise+psychological stress group had got significantly higher lymphocyte number, IFN-γ level and ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 (P<0.05). The lymphocyte number in spleen and mesenteric lymph node in the exercise group showed not a difference of significance compared with the control group, but a tendency towards going up. There was no difference of significance in IFN-γ level and ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 among the exercise+psychological stress group, the exercise group and the control group.CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise can increase lymphocyte number in spleen and mesenteric lymph node significantly,up-regulate the IFN-γ level so as to regulate the disbalance of Th1/Th2, and maintain immunity homeostasis.