title: Inhibition of interferon, cytokine, and lymphocyte proliferative responses in elite swimmers with altitude exposure.
abstract: To determine the immunologic consequences of athletic training at altitude, blood samples were taken at rest from 10 swimmers and 8 control nontraining but altitude-exposed members of the 1996 Australian Olympic Swimming Team, near the start and completion of a 21-day training camp at 2102 m. Blood leukocyte numbers dropped in both groups (p < 0.05), with the decrease greater in the swimmers (-38% swimmers, -3% controls). Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced blastogenesis decreased in both groups (p < 0.01), but the drop was greater in the control group (-32% swimmers, -56% controls, p < 0.05). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced blastogenesis more than doubled in both groups (281% swimmers, 249% controls, p < 0.01). Increases in mitogen-induced interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-4, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and a decrease in IL-2 levels were observed in both groups after altitude exposure (all p < 0.05). The percentage of cells expressing HLA-DR fell (-33% swimmers, -20% controls, p < 0.01), whereas those expressing CD-4 expression increased (16% swimmers only, p < 0.01). Although training at medium-level altitude alters some immunologic parameters, the training-induced changes may be secondary to those induced by altitude alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra ACT. david.pyne@ausport.gov.au
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Swigget
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sonnenfeld
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D007372:Interferons / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines; D007372:Interferons