Exercise and physical labor in extreme environmental conditions causes transient decreases in immune cell and cytokine concentrations, likely increasing the susceptibility to opportunistic infection. Baker's yeast beta glucan (BYBG) has been previously demonstrated to be an effective countermeasure in athletes, but its effectiveness in individuals of average fitness under similar physical stress is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if 10 days of oral supplementation with BYBG could modify previously observed suppression of monocytes, T cells, circulating and whole blood LPS-stimulated cytokines due to strenuous exercise. Venous blood samples were collected from 109 healthy volunteers prior to, immediately after, 2 and 4 h post-exercise. Monocyte and T cell concentration, cell-surface receptor expression and serum and LPS-stimulated cytokines were assessed. BYBG significantly (P < 0.05) altered total and classic monocyte concentration and expression of CD38, CD80, CD86, TLR2, and TLR4 on monocyte subsets. BYBG also significantly increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell concentration and the exercise response of CCR7+/CD45RA- central memory (TCM) cells. Likewise, BYBG significantly (P < 0.05) altered serum IFN-γ and IL-2, and LPS-stimulated IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7. Taken together these data support the hypothesis that oral BYBG supplementation modulates the expected exercise response for individuals of average fitness. This may result in a decrease in susceptibility to opportunistic infections after strenuous exercise.
The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic effects during a similar bout of exercise on a novel, whole body exercise device (Fish and Kangaroo Machine; FKM) and a cycle ergometer. Recreationally active men and women (n =13) completed two exercise sessions. The exercise protocol included intervals alternating between exercise (3-min) and rest (3-min) for a total duration of 39-min. The exercise intensity between the two modes was matched based on heart rate response. Heart rate, cardiac output, and stroke volume were measured using a wireless telemetry technique (Physioflow Enduro). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured via breath-by-breath automated analysis of expired respiratory gas (MGC Diagnostics Ultima). Capillary blood lactate was measured using a handheld meter (LactatePlus). While maintaining the heartrate response, stroke volume presented at a higher-level during rest periods, although not significant. There was also higher cardiac output at the end of the exercise bout with the FKM. VO2 was lower at the same heart rate and peak lactate was higher during FKM exercise. Cardiovascular recovery was improved following FKM exercise compared to cycling. The observed responses demonstrated that for a similar heart rate response, the FKM has an enhanced anaerobic metabolic component compared to cycling. These findings demonstrate the FKM may represent a novel exercise device comparable to cycling with unique anaerobic training potential.
Introduction: Meal-related, dietary endotoxemia is a condition that affects approximately 1/3 of individuals living in Western society. Individual differences in gut permeability are believed to be the primary underlying cause of dietary endotoxemia. Long-term repeated dietary endotoxemia may increase the risk of developing a variety of forms of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the study was twofold: 1) To compare post-prandial biomarker responses in “responder” vs. “non-responder” subjects and 2) To determine if 30-d of oral probiotic supplementation could reduce post-prandial dietary endotoxemia in “responder” subjects.Figure: Serum Meal Endotoxin Response prior to and after 30-d of Spore-based Probiotic Supplementation.Methods: Apparently healthy men and women (N=75) were screened for post-prandial dietary endotoxemia. “Responders” and were randomized to receive either placebo (rice flour) or multi-strain spore-based probiotic supplement (Bacillus indicus (H36), Bacillus subtilis (H58), Bacillus coagulans, and Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus clausii) for 30-d. The dietary endotoxemia test was repeated at the conclusion of the supplementation period. Dietary endotoxin (LAL) and triglycerides (enzymatic) were measured using an automated chemistry analyzer. Serum disease risk biomarkers were measured using bead-based multiplex assays as secondary, exploratory measures. Data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and a P < 0.05. Results: Responder and non-responder subjects presented with very different post-prandial responses related to their biomarker profiles. In general, 30-d of oral supplementation with a spore-based probiotic reduced post-prandial responses, but did not completely eliminate them. Specifically, probiotic supplementation was associated with a 42% reduction in endotoxin (P=0.011) and 24% reduction in triglycerides (P=0.004) in the post-prandial period. Placebo subjects presented with a 36% increase in endotoxin and 5% decrease in triglycerides over the same post-prandial period. We also found that probiotic supplementation was associated with significant post-prandial reductions in IL-12p70 (P=0.017), IL-1b (P=0.020), and ghrelin (P=0.017) compared to placebo subjects. Conclusion: The key findings of the present study were that 30-d of oral, spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with a partial reduction in post-prandial biomarker responses in subjects with dietary endotoxemia.Figure: Serum Meal Triglyceride Response prior to and after 30-d of Spore-based Probiotic Supplementation.Figure: Heat Map of Serum Meal Biomarker Responses that were modified by 30-d of Spore-based Probiotic Supplementation.
Recent advances in instrument design and reagent development have enabled the rapid progression in available measurement techniques in the field of flow cytometry. In particular, image-based flow cytometry extends the analysis capacity found in traditional flow cytometry. Until recently, it was not possible to measure intracellular mRNA in specific phenotypes of cells by flow cytometry. In this protocol, a method of completing simultaneous intracellular measurement of mRNA and protein for PPAR-gamma in peripheral blood monocytes, which have been exposed in vitro to modified LDL, is described. The process of PPAR-gamma activation following uptake of modified LDL is believed to play a role in the development of atherogenesis. PPAR-gamma mRNA measurement was made possible using an amplified FISH technique (PrimeFlow RNA Assay) that allowed for detection of low-abundant intracellular mRNA expression. This protocol represents a continued effort by the authors' laboratory to establish and validate new techniques to assess the role of the immune system in chronic disease.
Exercise and physical labor in hot, humid environments carries the risk of heat-related injury and reduced exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wearing a shirt woven from a titanium dioxide (TiO2)-infused yarn on the physiological response to exercise in a hot, humid environment. Volunteers (N = 14) were recruited to participate in two exercise trials (45 min of interval treadmill exercise at 35 °C, 55% RH): control (Nylon 66) and a TiO2-shirt (Nylon 66 with 3% TiO2). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived thermal comfort (TC), and exercise capacity at specific physiological strain index (PSI) cut-points (5.0, 7.5, and 9.0) were measured. Significantly lower RPE/TC and improved exercise capacity at PSI 7.5 and 9.0 were observed when wearing TiO2 (p < 0.05). On a preliminary basis, these results demonstrate, the potential of TiO2-infused clothing to improve perceptions of exertion/environment and exercise capacity.
Granulocytes play a key role in the body's innate immune response to bacterial and viral infections. While methods exist to measure granulocyte function, in general these are limited in terms of the information they can provide. For example, most existing assays merely provide a percentage of how many granulocytes are activated following a single, fixed length incubation. Complicating matters, most assays focus on only one aspect of function due to limitations in detection technology. This report demonstrates a technique for simultaneous measurement of granulocyte phagocytosis of bacteria and oxidative burst. By measuring both of these functions at the same time, three unique phenotypes of activated granulocytes were identified: 1) Low Activation (minimal phagocytosis, no oxidative burst), 2) Moderate Activation (moderate phagocytosis, some oxidative burst, but no co-localization of the two functional events), and 3) High Activation (high phagocytosis, high oxidative burst, co-localization of phagocytosis and oxidative burst). A fourth population that consisted of inactivated granulocytes was also identified. Using assay incubations of 10, 20, and 40-min the effect of assay incubation duration on the redistribution of activated granulocyte phenotypes was assessed. A fourth incubation was completed on ice as a control. By using serial time incubations, the assay may be able to able to detect how a treatment spatially affects granulocyte function. All samples were measured using an image-based flow cytometer equipped with a quantitative imaging (QI) option, autosampler, and multiple lasers (488, 642, and 785 nm).
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