Airway cell composition at rest and after an all-out test in competitive rowers.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess: a) whether rowing affects airway cell composition, and b) the possible relationship between the degree of ventilation during exercise and airway cells.


METHODS
In nine young, nonasthmatic competitive rowers (mean age +/- SD: 16.2 +/- 1.0 yr), induced sputum samples were obtained at rest and shortly after an all-out rowing test over 1000 m (mean duration: 200 +/- 14 s), during which ventilatory and metabolic variables were recorded breath-by-breath (Cosmed K4b, Italy).


RESULTS
At rest, induced sputum showed prevalence of neutrophils (60%) over macrophages (40%); after exercise, total cell and bronchial epithelial cell (BEC) counts tended to increase. In the last minute of exercise, mean VE was 158.0 +/- 41.5 L x min(-1), and VO2 x kg(-1) 62 +/- 11 mL x min(-1). Exercise VE correlated directly with postexercise total cell (Spearman rho: 0.75, P < 0.05) an dmacrophage (rho: 0.82, P < 0.05) counts. A similar trend was observed for exercise VE and changes in BEC counts from baseline to postexercise (rho: 0.64, P = 0.11). Exercise VE did not correlate with airway neutrophil counts at rest or after exercise. Expression of adhesion molecules by airway neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils decreased after the all-out test.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to endurance athletes, nonasthmatic competitive rowers showed increased neutrophils in induced sputum compared with values found in sedentary subjects. The trend toward increased BEC postexercise possibly reflected the effects of high airflows on airway epithelium. Airway macrophages postexercise were highest in rowers showing tile most intense exercise hyperpnea, suggesting early involvement of these cells during exercise. However, the low expression of adhesion molecules by all airway cell types suggests that intense short-lived exercise may be associated with a blunted response of airway cells in nonasthmatic well-trained rowers.
Morici
Giuseppe
G
Department of Experimental Medicine Italian National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy.
Bonsignore
Maria R
MR
Zangla
Daniele
D
Riccobono
Loredana
L
Profita
Mirella
M
Bonanno
Anna
A
Paternò
Alessandra
A
Di Giorgi
Rossana
R
Mirabella
Franco
F
Chimenti
Laura
L
Benigno
Arcangelo
A
Vignola
Antonio M
AM
Bellia
Vincenzo
V
Amato
Giuseppe
G
Bonsignore
Giovanni
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000032:analysis; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*
D000418:Albumins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase