T-helper 17 response to an acute exercise bout and to 12-weeks exercise training

Abstract

A causative link between adaptive immunity and pathogenesis of obesity-associated diseases has been established. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of adiposity and acute/chronic exercise on Th17 lymphocytes in overweight/obese post-menopausal women. METHODS: Forty-nine overweight/obese women were randomly assigned to the exercise (EX, n=27) or education (ED, n=22) groups. Thirteen lean, moderately active women were recruited to examine the influence of adiposity on resting circulating Th17 lymphocytes. EX performed a 25-min walk (75-80% HRR) and 2 sets of 8 resistance exercises (70-80% 1RM) with blood samples obtained at: pre-exercise, post-exercise, one-hour and two-hour post-exercise. Blood samples were obtained at the same time points in resting ED. RESULTS: Th17 lymphocyte number is greater in overweight-obese post-menopausal women when compared to lean controls (19.6±1.9 vs. 9.7±1.6, respectively). Th17 cells are associated with key markers of adiposity and blood glucose control. No significant acute or exercise-training dependent changes in Th17 lymphocytes were observed.