Changes in CRP and TNF‐a after Runs at Different Intensities in Smokers Following Two Hour Cessation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in C‐reactive protein (CRP) and TNF‐α from blood samples before and after exercise at different intensities in smokers (SM) and non‐smokers (NS) after a 2 hour smoking cessation. Our laboratory previously reported large differences in CRP and TNF‐α at Pre between SM and NS. Furthermore, there were more profound disturbances in SM following three runs at different intensities approximately 30 minutes after smoking cessation before each run (EB 2015, Boston). The previous findings indicated that SM responded more sensitively to relatively equal intensity of exercise, which suggested that high intensity aerobic exercise should be avoided in SM in the beginning phase of exercise training.MethodsA total of eighteen physically inactive subjects (eight SM and ten NS) aged 20 to 27 were recruited. Smokers were accepted if their level of exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) was greater than 16 ppm. Each subject completed three treadmill runs at different intensities in a random order (55%, 65%, and 75% of VO2max). Running distance for all three runs was equivalent to 35‐min run at 65% VO2max. Smokers had a 2 hour smoking cessation before each run. Blood samples were collected before (Pre), immediately post (IP), and an hour following each run (1h Post).ResultsPre‐exercise CRP levels were higher in SM as compared to the NS. (2.291±.27 mg/L Vs. 2.082±.25, mean±SE, P = 0.042). As compared to Pre, no significant changes were found in CRP at IP and 1h Post following runs at three different intensities in both SM and NS. TNF‐α showed higher pre‐exercise levels in SM compared to NS (32.565±4.28 mg/L vs. 27.732±3.34, P=0.027). TNF‐α was significantly increased at IP following 75% of VO2max run in both SM and NS (SM: 32.657±4.36 → 38.797±6.33, P=0.013; NS: 27.694±3.26 → 33.466±4.35, P=0.019), but not significantly changed at IP following 55% and 65% of VO2max runs.ConclusionFindings of the current study revealed a dose‐response relationship for CRP and TNF‐a in SM and NS. The patterns of changes corresponded with previous presentation (EB, 2015) with a 30 minute smoking cessation; however, the differences between SM and NS were much smaller in this study suggesting that smokers may need to avoid cigarette smoking before exercise to minimize immune disturbance caused by combined stress from exercise and chronic smoking.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by Texas A&M International University Research Grant.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.