Dance Training Improves Cytokine Secretion and Viability of Neutrophils in Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that exercise improves neutrophil function. The decreased functional longevity of neutrophils and their increased clearance from infectious sites contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection and severity of infection observed in patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: Herein, we investigated the effects of a dance program on neutrophil number, function, and death in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Ten patients with T2DM and twelve healthy individuals participated in a moderate-intensity dance training program for 4 months. The plasma levels of leptin, free fatty acids (FFAs), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra); neutrophil counts; extent of DNA fragmentation; cell membrane integrity; and production of TNF-α, interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1ß in neutrophils were measured before and after training. RESULTS: Training reduced plasma levels of TNF-α (1.9-fold in controls and 2.2-fold in patients with T2DM) and CRP (1.4-fold in controls and 3.4-fold in patients with T2DM). IL-1ra levels were higher in the control group (2.2-fold) after training. After training, neutrophil DNA fragmentation was decreased in patients with T2DM (90%), while the number of neutrophils increased (70% in controls and 1.1-fold in patients with T2DM). CONCLUSION: Dance training is a nonpharmacological strategy to reduce inflammation and improve neutrophil clearance in patients with T2DM.

Daily Intake of Fermented Milk Containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (Lcs) Modulates Systemic and Upper Airways Immune/Inflammatory Responses in Marathon Runners.

BACKGROUND: Although Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) can benefit the immune status, the effects of LcS in the immune/inflammatory responses of marathon runners has never been evaluated. Therefore, here we evaluated the effect of daily ingestion of fermented milk containing or not LcS in the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a marathon. METHODS: Forty-two male marathon runners ingested a fermented milk containing 40 billion of LcS/day (LcS group, n = 20) or placebo (unfermented milk, n = 22) during 30 days pre-marathon. Immune/inflammatory parameters in nasal mucosa and serum, as well as concentrations of secretory IgA (SIgA) and antimicrobial peptides in saliva, were evaluated before and after fermented milk ingestion, immediately, 72 h, and 14 d post-marathon. RESULTS: Higher proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum and nasal mucosa, and also lower salivary levels of SIgA and antimicrobial peptides, were found immediately post-marathon in the placebo group compared to other time points and to LcS group. In opposite, higher anti-inflammatory levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration on nasal mucosa were found in the LcS group compared to other time points and to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: For the first time, it is shown that LcS is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon.

The Effect of a Competitive Futsal Match on T Lymphocyte Surface Receptor Signaling and Functions.

In this study, the lymphocyte activation status (surface expression of CD95, CD28, CD25, and CTLA-4), lymphocyte number, lymphocyte subpopulations, lymphocyte necrosis and/or apoptosis, and lymphocyte release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated in blood samples from 16 futsal athletes before and immediately following a competitive match. Lymphocytes were isolated from the blood samples, and the cellular parameters were assessed by flow cytometry. The futsal match induced lymphocytosis and lymphocyte apoptosis, as indicated by phosphatidylserine externalization, CD95 expression, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the competitive match induced the necrotic death of lymphocytes. No differences in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells or in the T-helper/suppressor profile between before and immediately after the match were observed. Additionally, after the futsal match, the CD95 and CD28 expression levels were decreased, and the lymphocytes spontaneously released higher levels of ROS. Regardless of the origin, the situation-specific knowledge of lymphocyte behavior obtained herein may facilitate the design of strategies to control the processes that result in infection and tissue injury and that subsequently decrease athletic performance.