Moderate exercise has long been recognized for its positive effects on the body's response to inflammation. Recent research, titled "Moderate Exercise Induces Trained Immunity in Macrophages" published in the American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, suggests that these benefits may stem from the impact of exercise on the production of macrophages, which are vital white blood cells involved in infection control and healing processes.
According to Associate Professor Ali Abdul-Sater, an exercise of moderate intensity can train the precursors of macrophages in the bone marrow by influencing their oxygen usage, energy generation, and DNA accessibility.
Positive Effects of Exercise on the Immune System for Long-Term
The study reveals that the positive effects of exercise on the immune system can last beyond the immediate post-workout period. Inflammation, although commonly associated with negative effects, is actually a crucial part of the body's immune response to stressors and infections. Excessive inflammation is a concern as it can lead to various diseases.
The study on mice found that moderate exercise can train the precursors of macrophages in the bone marrow, similar to how muscles are trained through exercise. Psychology Today reported that the researchers discovered that exercise affects the cells' respiration, oxygen utilization, energy generation, and DNA accessibility.
While short-term inflammatory responses are important for a healthy immune system, excessive and chronic inflammation can lead to various diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. The study aimed to understand how exercise influences the inflammatory response in macrophages.
After six to eight weeks of regular exercise, the researchers observed significant changes in the bone marrow-derived macrophages of the exercised mice. These changes included reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression, increased expression of genes associated with debris removal, improved mitochondrial quality, and reduced production of reactive oxygen species.
The study suggests that chronic moderate exercise can reprogram the metabolic and epigenetic landscape of macrophages, leading to tempered inflammatory responses. These findings provide insights into the beneficial effects of exercise on immune health and highlight the potential of exercise as a strategy to modulate inflammation.
Insights for Human Health and Disease
As the inflammatory response is similar across mammals, including humans, the researchers expect their findings to apply to humans as well. According to Science Daily, the next phase of the research will involve collecting immune cells from human volunteers who will perform exercises of different intensities to determine the most effective workout routines for balancing the inflammatory response.
Additionally, the researchers plan to investigate inflammation in mice with complex infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions resembling COVID-19, where excessive inflammation can lead to severe outcomes.
The study's findings reinforce the well-known benefits of exercise, but understanding the underlying mechanisms can lead to practical applications. While no intervention works universally for everyone, moderate and consistent exercise not only improve metabolic health but also enhances immune health in the long term. This knowledge has the potential to be utilized for better health outcomes.
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