Effect of exercise and food restriction on selected markers of the acute phase response in hamsters

C A Conn, W E Kozak, P C Tooten, T A Niewold, K T Borer, M J Kluger

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Acute aerobic exercise has been shown to elicit physiological changes characteristic of the acute phase response (APR), a nonspecific host defense response. Regular evocation of these changes may prime the immune system to improve resistance to disease. Because food deprivation is associated with an impaired APR, food restriction may prevent these beneficial changes. We tested the hypotheses that voluntary exercise elicits an APR and that food restriction modifies this response in four groups of hamsters: ad libitum-fed sedentary, ad libitum-fed exercised, food-restricted sedentary, and food-restricted exercised. Five variables altered during an APR were examined: core temperature, serum iron, serum interleukin-6, serum amyloid A, and serum glucocorticoids measured by biotelemetry, colorimetric analysis, B-9 cell growth assay, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Blood was drawn during the hamsters' inactive period after 19-20 days of access to running wheels. Resting core temperature was elevated by exercise and depressed by food restriction (P < 0.01). Iron was depressed by food restriction (P < 0.01). Cortisol, but not corticosterone, was elevated by food restriction (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among groups in interleukin-6 (P > 0.49) or serum amyloid A (P > 0.29). We conclude that there is little evidence that voluntary exercise or exercise combined with food restriction causes an APR in hamsters.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)458-65
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Applied Physiology
    Volume78
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 1995

    Keywords

    • Acute-Phase Reaction
    • Amyloid
    • Animals
    • Body Temperature
    • Body Weight
    • Corticosterone
    • Cricetinae
    • Eating
    • Female
    • Hydrocortisone
    • Interleukin-6
    • Iron
    • Mesocricetus
    • Motor Activity
    • Physical Exertion

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