Abstract
BackgroundThere is little data on the effect of exercise on markers of airway inflammation in human asthmatics. The main objective of this review is to determine the effects of physical training on markers of airway inflammation in animal models of asthma.MethodsA peer reviewed search was applied to Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and DARE databases. Data extraction was performed in a blinded fashion.ResultsFrom the initial 2336 studies, a total of 10 studies were selected for the final analysis. All were randomized controlled trials with low to moderate intensity training on ovalbumin-sensitized mice. In the exercised group of mice, there was a reduction in BAL eosinophils and Th-2 cytokines, no change in Th-1 cytokines, an increase in IL-10, and a reversal of airway remodeling. The data was not pooled owing to significant heterogeneity between studies, and a funnel plot test for publication bias was not performed because there were few studies reporting on any one outcome measure. The asthma models differed between studies in age and gender of mice, as well as in timing of physical training after sensitization. The risk of bias was unclear for some studies though this may not influence outcome measures. The accuracy of data extracted from graphics is unknown.ConclusionsPhysical training improves airway inflammation in animal asthma models.
Highlights
There is little data on the effect of exercise on markers of airway inflammation in human asthmatics
Other studies show that exercise training in asthma reduces asthma medications, emergency room visits, symptoms, exacerbations, and can improve lung function, and quality of life [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]; the 2012 and 2009 Cochrane Collaboration systematic reviews on this topic showed no change in lung function or days without wheeze, they did show improved cardiopulmonary fitness [10,11]
Other interesting findings included decreased expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a family of transcription factors promoting the expression of genes for cytokines [40], a decrease in growth factors, which are hypothesized to be involved in the abnormal repair process [39,41,42], a decrease in P2X7R, a receptor involved in the control of pro-inflammatory cytokines that is upregulated in OVAsensitized mice [29], decreased reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, decrease in desensitization of β2 agonist receptors, and an increase in pulmonary Treg cells with superior suppression of lymphocyte proliferation
Summary
There is little data on the effect of exercise on markers of airway inflammation in human asthmatics. Other studies show that exercise training in asthma reduces asthma medications, emergency room visits, symptoms, exacerbations, and can improve lung function, and quality of life [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]; the 2012 and 2009 Cochrane Collaboration systematic reviews on this topic showed no change in lung function or days without wheeze, they did show improved cardiopulmonary fitness [10,11] It is unclear if the benefits of exercise seen in asthmatics result predominantly from a direct impact on airway inflammation, or if they stem from improved cardiac and peripheral muscle conditioning, or both. Bronchial responsiveness to histamine or methacholine post-training seems to be unchanged in most studies [3,9,14,15,16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
