Chapter 8 - Acute phase immune responses in exercise

Abstract

Oxygen consumption may rise severalfold during physical exercise. The increase in oxidant stress following exercise is usually associated with a decline in antioxidant status. However, careful training regimens can increase the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The acute-phase response can contribute to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during exercise as well as during infection. This chapter describes the way in which an acute-phase response is generated and controlled during these events and the way it can be modulated by nutrients. Muscle damage is found after intense and/or exhaustive exercise, even in highly trained athletes. Long-duration or damaging exercise often results in reactions that resemble the acute-phase response to infection. Heavy exercise, especially when muscle injury occurs, initiates an acute-phase response that contributes to the breakdown and clearance of overloaded tissue. The antioxidant vitamins C and E are consumed during acute-phase immune reactions. Understanding the nature and role of the acute phase immune response during exercise may provide a basis for optimal physical training regimens, dietary requirements of antioxidants for physically active people, and prevention and treatment of noninfectious inflammatory diseases. The acute-phase response involves up-regulation of several processes that provide protection of host tissues from reactive oxygen species. These processes may be valuable adaptations of exercise training.