Latent cytomegalovirus infection and innate immune function following a 75 km cycling time trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the acute immune response, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation to a 75 km cycling time trial in male athletes testing positive or negative for latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.


METHODS
Trained cyclists (N = 20) were tested for CMV serostatus, and cycled 75 km on a mountainous course using indoor trainers with continuous workload monitoring. Pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise blood samples were analyzed for total blood leukocyte counts, blood granulocyte (GR) and monocyte (MO) phagocytosis (PHAG) and oxidative burst activity (OBA), four plasma cytokines, and plasma F2-isoprostanes.


RESULTS
Forty percent of the subjects tested positive for CMV. No differences in subject characteristics were found between CMVpos and CMVneg groups. Mean power (57.3 ± 1.6, 59.4 ± 1.8 % maximal Watts, p = 0.803), heart rate (87.0 ± 1.0, 86.5 ± 1.3 % maximal heart rate, p = 0.376), and total time (2.56 ± 0.08, 2.60 ± 0.08 h, p = 0.744) to complete the 75 km cycling time trial did not differ between CMVpos and CMVneg groups. Whereas exercise induced significant changes in total blood leukocyte counts, GR and MO-PHAG, four plasma cytokines, and plasma F2-isoprostanes (p < 0.05, ω(2) > 0.03), these exercise-induced changes did not differ between CMVpos and CMVneg groups (p > 0.05, ω(2) < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
CMV serostatus does not appear to influence these innate immune responses or markers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation in response to a single bout of heavy exertion.
Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
Emily C P
EC
LaVoy
David C
DC
Nieman
Dru A
DA
Henson
R Andrew
RA
Shanely
Amy M
AM
Knab
Lynn
L
Cialdella-Kam
Richard J
RJ
Simpson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D016207:Cytokines