Stress-induced downregulation of macrophage phagocytic function is attenuated by exercise training in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Acute restraint stress may induce impaired macrophage phagocytic function. Moderate physical training is associated with beneficial effects on immunological functions. We investigated the effects of moderate physical training on phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages in rats submitted to acute restraint stress.


METHODS
Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 210-226 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: nontrained rats (n = 7), nontrained rats submitted to stress (n = 8), trained rats (n = 7) and trained rats submitted to stress (n = 8). Trained rats were submitted to a program of moderate running training over a period of 8 weeks. Rats subjected to restraint stress were kept immobilized in glass cylinders (8 cm in diameter and 24 cm long) during 60 min. Phagocytosis capacity of macrophages was evaluated by either Escherichia coli orzymosan stimuli.


RESULTS
Restraint stress induced a decrease in phagocytosis of E. coli and zymosan particle stimulation by macrophages. Neither of these alterations was observed in trained animals submitted to acute restraint stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data confirm that acute restraint stress is associated with impaired function of macrophages. Moreover, moderate physical training attenuates the effects of acute stress by a mechanism that involves an increase in tolerance of macrophages.
Leandro
Carol Góis
CG
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. carolleandro22@yahoo.com.br
de Lima
Thais Martins
TM
Alba-Loureiro
Tatiana Carolina
TC
do Nascimento
Elizabeth
E
Manhães de Castro
Raul
R
de Castro
Célia M M B
CM
Pithon-Curi
Tania Cristina
TC
Curi
Rui
R
D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology