Peripheral blood mononuclear cell glutamine concentration and in vitro proliferation in response to an acute, exercise-induced decrease in plasma glutamine concentration

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University of York (2002) J Physiol 539P, S129

Communications: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell glutamine concentration and in vitro proliferation in response to an acute, exercise-induced decrease in plasma glutamine concentration

N. Hiscock*‡ñ, R. Morgan†, G. Davison†, J. Garcia†, F. Grace†, N. Boisseau‡, L.M. Castell‡, L.T. Mackinnonñ, B. Davies† and D.M. Bailey†‡

*Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark, †Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Glamorgan, ‡Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK and ñDepartment of Human Movement Studies, Univeristy of Queensland, 4072, Australia

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In vitro studies have shown that the amino acid glutamine is important for the function of some immune cells, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (Ardawi & Newsholme, 1983). Following prolonged, acute exercise, a decrease in plasma glutamine concentration (p [gln]) has been reported (Parry-Billings et al. 1992; Castell et al. 1996; Rohde et al. 1996). It has been hypothesised that a decrease in p [gln] following exercise may compromise glutamine availability to immune cells, and thus decrease the function of these cells (Newsholme et al. 1985). This study, therefore, aimed to measure PBMC glutamine concentration (PBMC [gln]) and in vitro proliferation in response to an exercise-induced decrease in p [gln]. Nine healthy males of (mean ± S.D.) age 21 ± 2 years, body mass 74.3 ± 10.3 kg and ΩO2,peak 47.6 ± 7.1 ml kg min-1 were recruited, and gave written consent. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. Each subject performed cycle ergometry for 120 min at 50 % ΩO2,peak. Both p [gln] and PBMC [gln] were measured enzymatically before (PRE), immediately post- (POST0), 30 min post- (POST30) and 120 min post-exercise (POST120). PBMC [gln] was adjusted for changes in PBMC count. PBMC in vitro proliferative response to Concanavalin A was measured in isolated cells. One-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc analysis was used for statistical analysis, with significance accepted at P < 0.05.

There was a significant decrease (19 %) in p [gln] from PRE to POST0 (P = 0.014). At POST30, p [gln] significantly increased to be similar to PRE (P = 0.024), and did not change at POST120. PBMC count increased non-significantly (30 %) from PRE to POST0. However, at POST30, PBMC count had decreased significantly (52 %) (P = 0.01). At POST120, PBMC count had returned to PRE. There was no significant change in PBMC [gln] from PRE to POST0. At POST30, PBMC [gln] increased significantly (109 %) from POST0 (P = 0.003), and was significantly higher than PRE (P = 0.022). At POST120, PBMC[gln] was not significantly different from PRE. There was no change in in vitro PBMC proliferation at any time.

A decrease in p [gln] following acute exercise apparently does not compromise glutamine availability to PBMC, which appear to increase glutamine uptake. A decrease in PBMC count, rather than PBMC [gln], may represent a decrease in the ability of these cells to respond to an immune challenge.


\"Figure 1. Comparison of p [gln] ([opensquare]) and PBMC [gln] ([filldiamond]) in response to 120 min cycling ergometry at 50 % ΩO2,peak (mean ± S.E.M.). # Significant difference in p [gln] from PRE to POST0 (P = 0.014). ñSignificant difference in PBMC [gln] from POST0 to POST30 (P = 0.003). *Significant difference in PBMC [gln] from PRE to POST30 (P = 0.022).\"
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\"Figure 1. Comparison of p [gln] ([opensquare]) and PBMC [gln] ([filldiamond]) in response to 120 min cycling ergometry at 50 % &Omega;O2,peak (mean &plusmn; S.E.M.). # Significant difference in p [gln] from PRE to POST0 (P = 0.014). ñSignificant difference in PBMC [gln] from POST0 to POST30 (P = 0.003). *Significant difference in PBMC [gln] from PRE to POST30 (P = 0.022).\"

Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.

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