Activation of natural killer cell function in recreational athletes with paraplegia during a wheelchair half-marathon race.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a part of the immune homeostasis in recreational athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) during and after a wheelchair half-marathon race.


METHODS
Case-control study in an actual race.


METHODS
The half-marathon division of an international wheelchair marathon race in Japan.


METHODS
Seven male wheelchair racers with SCI between T7 and L1.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Changes in the number and function of natural killer (NK) cells and the endocrine effects, including plasma catecholamines and cortisol in blood samples obtained the day before the race, immediately after it, and 1 day after the race.


RESULTS
Both the percentage and absolute number of peripheral NK cells did not change significantly throughout the experiment. Mean NK cell cytotoxic activity +/- standard deviation increased significantly, from 45.5%+/-7.5% to 56.1%+/-5.1% (P<.01) immediately after the race and remained increased until the next day. Plasma adrenaline levels were increased (P<.05) immediately after the race and recovered 1 day later; the plasma concentration of cortisol did not change throughout the experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
The wheelchair half-marathon race induced activation of NK cell function in recreational athletes with SCI between T7 and L1.
Kibikogen Rehabilitation Center for Employment Injuries, Okayama-Ken, Japan.
Kazunari
K
Furusawa
Fumihiro
F
Tajima
Yuich
Y
Umezu
Mari
M
Ueta
Makoto
M
Ide
Takashi
T
Mizushima
Hajime
H
Ogata
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007564:Japan; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012420:Running; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013177:Sports; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014910:Wheelchairs
D006454:Hemoglobins; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D004837:Epinephrine