The interactive effect of exercise and immunosuppressant cyclosporin A on immune function in mice

Abstract

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an effective immunosuppressive agent and exerts its actions by interfering with the activation of T cells. There is growing evidence that regular exercise improves immune function. However, the effects of exercise on immune functions in patients taking CsA are unclear. Here, we examine the interactive effects of CsA administration and regular exercise on immune function in mice. Forty-eight BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to one of six groups with eight mice per group: 0-Ex (no CsA/no exercise), 0 + Ex (no CsA + exercise), 10-Ex (10 mg · kg−1 · day−1 CsA/no exercise), 10 + Ex (10 mg · kg−1 · day−1 CsA + exercise), 20-Ex (20 mg · kg−1 · day−1 CsA/no exercise), and 20 + Ex (20 mg · kg−1 · day−1 CsA + exercise). The three exercise groups were trained for 8 weeks, three times a week, at approximately 75% maximum oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max). Nitric oxide and interferon-gamma secretions by mitogen-activated macrophages and spleen cells, respectively, were higher in exercise groups than in non-exercise groups receiving the same doses of CsA. The results of this study indicate that regular exercise may enhance Type I helper T cell functions in mice receiving 10 or 20 mg · kg−1 · day−1 CsA. Our results demonstrate that moderate regular exercise modulates the immune function of CsA-treated mice. However, whether this exercise-induced immunomodulatory effect is beneficial or detrimental to CsA-treated patients needs to be clarified.