Aerobic Training Reduces Chronic Airway Inflammation and Mediators of Remodelingin Asthma

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of aerobic training (AT) on chronic systemic and airway inflammation and on the airway remodeling mediators in asthmatic patients. In this prospective study, 21 intermittent and persistent mild asthma patients were included. As primary findings, pro and anti-inflammatory and pro and anti-fibrotic mediators in breath condensate and in serum, beyond the leukocytes counting in blood and induced sputum were analyzed. AT was performed for 3 months, 3x/week. After AT, increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA (p<0.04) and IL-10 (p<0.04), and of anti-fibrotic mediator relaxin-1 (p<0.008), relaxin-3 (p<0.001) and klotho (p<0.004) in breath condensate was observed. In addition, the pulmonary levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta (p<0.04), IL-4 (p<0.01), IL-5 (p<0.01), IL-6 (p<0.01) and IL-13 (p<0.001), and of pro-fibrotic mediator VEGF (p<0.001) was reduced by AT. In serum, increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1RA (p<0.01) and IL-10 (p<0.03), and of anti-fibrotic mediator relaxin-1 (p<0.0001), relaxin-3 (p<0.004) and klotho (p<0.002) were observed. Furthermore, AT reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p<0.01), IL-4 (p<0.05), IL-5 (p<0.02), IL-6 (p<0.05), IL-13 (p<0.03), and pro-fibrotic mediator VEGF (p<0.0001). Regarding leukocytes in sputum, AT reduced total cells (p<0.008), eosinophils (p<0.009) and macrophages (p<0.02). In blood, AT reduced the number of eosinophils (p<0.02) and lymphocytes (p<0.01). AT inhibits pulmonary and systemica inflammation and remodeling processes of asthmatics.