Increased phagocytic capacity of the blood, but decreased phagocytic activity per individual circulating neutrophil after an ultradistance run

Holger Gabriel*, Hans Josef Müller, Karin Kettler, Lars Brechtel, Axel Urhausen, Wilfried Kindermann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of a long strenuous endurance exercise on the phagocytic function of neutrophils was examined. 9 athletes [7 males, 2 females, age: 36-68 years, body mass: 64 (SD 10) kg, height: 175 (SD 10) cm] completed a competetive 100 km run in 8:07 (median value; range: 7:29-9:50 hours). In a whole blood assay the phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli, the receptor density of the Fcγ receptor 3 (CD16) and the complement receptor 3 (CD11b, direct immunofluorescence) of neutrophils were measured on a per cell basis by flow cytometry before and up to 3 hours after the race. The phagocytic rate (percentage of neutrophils incorporating bacteria) was unchanged after exercise, whereas the phagocytic activity (number of incorporated bacteria per cell) was significantly reduced by -34 (SD 8) % (Wilcoxon test, P<0.001). The total phagocytic capacity of the blood increased 2-3fold post exercise. The surface antigen expressions of CD11b and CD16 were unaffected by the ultradistance run. The results indicate either a reduced phagocytic function of neutrophils on a single cell basis or the mobilization of neutrophils of the marginal pool with a lower phagocytic activity. However, after a long endurance exercise the phagocytotic capacity of the blood was enhanced due to increased cell concentrations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)281-283
Number of pages3
JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology
Volume71
Issue number2-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CD11b
  • CD16
  • Neutrophils
  • exercise
  • phagocytes
  • phagocytosis

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