PMID: 

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2017 03 ;79:93-102. Epub 2017 Jan 11. PMID: 28088610

Abstract Title: 

The effects of voluntary wheel running on neuroinflammatory status: Role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

Abstract: 

The health benefits of exercise and physical activity (PA) have been well researched and it is widely accepted that PA is crucial for maintaining health. One of the mechanisms by which exercise and PA exert their beneficial effects is through peripheral immune system adaptations. To date, very few studies have looked at the regulation of neuroimmune reactions in response to PA. We studied the effect of voluntary wheel running (VWR) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, patterns of glial cell activation and expression of immune receptors in the brains of female C57BL/6 mice. By using homozygous monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 null mice, we investigated the role of this key immunoregulatory cytokine in mediating VWR-induced neuroinflammatory responses. We demonstrated that, compared to their sedentary counterparts, C57BL/6 mice exposed for seven weeks to VWR had increased levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, markers of glial cell activation and a trend towards increased expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in the brain. Measurements of serum cytokines revealed that the alterations in brain cytokine levels could not be explained by the effects of PA on peripheral cytokine levels. We propose that the modified neuroimmune status observed in the VWR group represents an activated immune system, as opposed to a less activated immune system in the sedentary group. Since MCP-1 knockout mice displayed differing patterns of pro- and anti-inflammatory brain cytokine expression and glial activation when compared to their wild-type counterparts, we concluded that the effects of VWR on neuroimmune reactions may be modulated by MCP-1. These identified immunomodulatory effects of PA in the brain could contribute to the observed positive relationship between physically active lifestyles and a reduced risk for a number of neurodegenerative diseases that possess a significant neuroinflammatory component.

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PMID: 

Int J Sports Med. 2017 Jun ;38(6):473-480. Epub 2017 Apr 7. PMID: 28388779

Abstract Title: 

Aerobic Exercise Decreases Lung Inflammation by IgE Decrement in an OVA Mice Model.

Abstract: 

Aerobic exercise (AE) reduces lung function decline and risk of exacerbations in asthmatic patients. However, the inflammatory lung response involved in exercise during the sensitization remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of exercise for 2 weeks in an experimental model of sensitization and single ovalbumin-challenge. Mice were divided into 4 groups: mice non-sensitized and not submitted to exercise (Sedentary, n=10); mice non-sensitized and submitted to exercise (Exercise, n=10); mice sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA, n=10); and mice sensitized, submitted to exercise and exposed to OVA (OVA+Exercise, n=10). 24 h after the OVA/saline exposure, we counted inflammatory cells from bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), lung levels of total IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-1ra, measurements of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE, and VEGF and NOS-2 expression via western blotting. AE reduced cell counts from BALF in the OVA group (p

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PMID: 

Brain Behav Immun. 2019 08 ;80:818-824. Epub 2019 May 21. PMID: 31125712

Abstract Title: 

High-intensity interval training reduces monocyte activation in obese adults.

Abstract: 

Alterations in the distribution and activation of monocyte subsets are frequently observed in individuals with obesity and their participation in the pathological complications of obesity is proposed. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be a time-efficient alternative to counteract the inflammatory outcomes of obesity, but so far, its effects on monocytes in obesity has not been fully explored. In this study, we investigated whether 8 weeks of HIIT can modify the distribution and activation of the three monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes) in individuals with obesity. Our data show that individuals with obesity have a higher percentage of non-classical monocytes compared to control, lean individuals, and consequently an imbalance among the CD16monocyte subsets. Also, the expression of HLA-DR by intermediate monocytes is higher in insulin-resistant obese individuals, which indicates monocyte activation in obesity. After 8 weeks of HIIT, the percentage of non-classical monocytes was reduced in individuals with obesity, restoring the balance among the CD16monocytes. Also, the expression of HLA-DR by intermediate monocytes in insulin-resistant obese subjects was lower after HIIT. Both findings indicate that monocyte activation in individuals with obesity was reduced by HIIT. These modifications were observed in the absence of changes in weight and body composition, although they were accompanied by the improvement in the metabolic status (reduced insulin levels). Our findings indicate that HIIT can be considered a time-efficient strategy to manage obesity-related monocyte alterations and strengthen the immunomodulatory potential of HIIT.

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PMID: 

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2019 09 ;6(9):1647-1658. Epub 2019 Aug 1. PMID: 31368247

Abstract Title: 

Exercise intensity-dependent immunomodulatory effects on encephalomyelitis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Exercise training (ET) has beneficial effects on multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the intensity-dependent effects of ET on the systemic immune system in EAE remain undefined.OBJECTIVE: (1) To compare the systemic immune modulatory effects of moderate versus high-intensity ET protocols in protecting against development of EAE; (2) To investigate whether ET affects autoimmunity selectively, or causes general immunosuppression.METHODS: Healthy mice performed moderate or high-intensity treadmill running programs. Proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced transfer EAE was utilized to examine ET effects specifically on the systemic immune system. Lymph node (LN)-T cells from trained versus sedentary donor mice were transferred to naïve recipients and EAE severity was assessed, by clinical assessment and histopathological analysis. LN-T cells derived from donor trained versus sedentary PLP-immunized mice were analyzed in vitro for proliferation assays by flow cytometry analysis and cytokine and chemokine receptor gene expression using real-time PCR. T cell-dependent immune responses of trained versus sedentary mice to the nonautoantigen ovalbumin and susceptibility to Escherichia coli-induced acute peritonitis were examined.RESULTS: High-intensity training in healthy donor mice induced significantly greater inhibition than moderate-intensity training on proliferation and generation of encephalitogenic T cells in response to PLP-immunization, and on EAE severity upon their transfer into recipient mice. High-intensity training also inhibited LN-T cell proliferation in response to ovalbumin immunization. E. coli bacterial counts and dissemination were not affected by training.INTERPRETATION: High-intensity training induces superior effects in preventing autoimmunity in EAE, but does not alter immune responses to E. coli infection.

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PMID: 

J Immunol. 2019 Dec 1 ;203(11):3013-3022. Epub 2019 Oct 25. PMID: 31653685

Abstract Title: 

Exercise Promotes Resolution of Acute Inflammation by Catecholamine-Mediated Stimulation of Resolvin D1 Biosynthesis.

Abstract: 

The mechanisms by which regular exercise prevents the development and progression of chronic inflammatory diseases are largely unknown. We find that exercise enhances resolution of acute inflammation by augmenting resolvin D1 (RvD1) levels and by promoting macrophage phagocytosis. When compared with sedentary controls, mice that performed a four-week treadmill exercise regimen displayed higher macrophage phagocytic activity, enhanced RvD1 levels, and earlier neutrophil clearance following an acute inflammatory challenge. In acute inflammatory cell extracts from exercised mice, we found elevated expression ofandand higher RvD1 levels. Because exercise stimulates release of epinephrine, which has immunomodulatory effects, we questioned whether epinephrine exerts proresolving actions on macrophages. Epinephrine-treated macrophages displayed higher RvD1 levels and 15-lipoxygenase-1 protein abundance, which were prevented by incubation with theα1 adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) antagonist prazosin. Likewise, stimulation of the α1-AR with phenylephrine enhanced macrophage phagocytosis and RvD1 production. During acute inflammation, prazosin abrogated exercise-enhanced neutrophil clearance, macrophage phagocytosis, and RvD1 biosynthesis. These results suggest that exercise-stimulated epinephrine enhances resolution of acute inflammation in an α1-AR-dependent manner. To our knowledge, our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the proresolving effects of exercise that could lead to the identification of novel pathways to stimulate resolution.

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PMID: 

Front Immunol. 2019 ;10:2197. Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31572399

Abstract Title: 

Immunomodulatory Effects of Exercise in Experimental Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract: 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease. Though a specific antigen has not been identified, it is widely accepted that MS is an autoimmune disorder characterized by myelin-directed immune attack. Pharmacological treatments for MS are based on immunomodulatory or immunosuppressant drugs, designed to attenuate or dampen the immune reaction, to improve neurological functions. Recently, rehabilitation has gained increasing attention in the scientific community dealing with MS. Engagement of people with MS in exercise programs has been associated with a number of functional improvements in mobility, balance, and motor coordination. Moreover, several studies indicate the effectiveness of exercise against fatigue and mood disorders that are frequently associated with the disease. However, whether exercise acts like an immunomodulatory therapy is still an unresolved question. A good tool to address this issue is provided by the study of the immunomodulatory effects of exercise in an animal model of MS, including the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the Theiler's virus induced-demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) and toxic-demyelinating models, cuprizone (CPZ), and lysolecithin (LPC). So far, despite the availability of different animal models, most of the pre-clinical data have been gained in EAE and to a lesser extent in CPZ and LPC. These studies have highlighted beneficial effects of exercise, suggesting the modulation of both the innate and the adaptive immune response in the peripheral blood as well as in the brain. In the present paper, starting from the biological differences among MS animal models in terms of immune system involvement, we revise the literature regarding the effects of exercise in EAE, CPZ, and LPC, and critically highlight the advantages of either model, including the so-far unexplored TMEV-IDD, to address the immune effects of exercise in MS.

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PMID: 

FASEB J. 2020 Feb ;34(2):2869-2881. Epub 2020 Jan 3. PMID: 31908052

Abstract Title: 

Exercise as a countermeasure for latent viral reactivation during long duration space flight.

Abstract: 

Latent viral reactivation is a commonly reported manifestation of immune system dysregulation during spaceflight. As physical fitness and exercise training have been shown to benefit multiple arms of the immune system, we hypothesized that higher levels of preflight physical fitness and/or maintaining fitness during a mission would protect astronauts from latent viral reactivation. Standardized tests of maximal strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were performed in 22 international space station (ISS) crewmembers before and after a ~6-month mission. Reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) was determined in crewmembers and ground-based controls before, during, and after spaceflight. Crewmembers with higher CRF before spaceflight had a 29% reduced risk of latent viral reactivation compared to crew with lower CRF. Higher preflight upper body muscular endurance was associated with a 39% reduced risk of viral reactivation, a longer time to viral reactivation, and lower peak viral DNA concentrations, particularly for EBV and VZV. Latent viral reactivation rates were highest in crew with lower preflight CRF and higher levels of CRF deconditioning on return to Earth. We conclude that physical fitness may protect astronauts from latent viral reactivation during long duration spaceflight missions.

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PMID: 

Can Oncol Nurs J. 2018 ;28(2):132-138. Epub 2018 Apr 1. PMID: 31148822

Abstract Title: 

Effectiveness of acupressure on the experience of nausea and vomiting among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Abstract: 

The study was conducted for a period of six weeks among 40 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling to explore the impact of acupressure on nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were gathered using a semi-structured interview schedule, semi-structured questionnaire and Rhodes' index of nausea, vomiting and retching. The research design was a quasi experimental 'post-test only, control group design'. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics involving frequency, percentage, Chi square and independent 't' test. Results of the study showed that the subjects in the experimental group experienced mild (65%) to moderate (35%) nausea and vomiting, whereas the subjects in the control group experienced moderate (35%) to severe (65%) nausea and vomiting, t (38)= 2.693, 8.270, 8.401 respectively for days 1, 2 and 3; p

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PMID: 

Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2018 Mar-Apr;23(2):143-148. PMID: 29628963

Abstract Title: 

The Effect of Acupressure on Physiological Parameters of Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract: 

Background: Myocardial infarction is a major complication of coronary heart disease, and due to high mortality, is a part of important medical emergencies. Today, complementary and alternative medicine, as nonpharmacological and health promotion methods is considered. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on physiological parameters of patients with myocardial infarction.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was carried out among two groups and three stages in 2015. Study participants included 64 patients hospitalized in Iran, Isfahan Shahid Chamran hospital. Acupressure in five points and at any point for 2 minutes, twice per day for 3 days was done in the experimental group and as the same at a false point for the control group. Physiological parameters were recorded before, immediately, and 30 minutes after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and independent-tests, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, repeated-measurements analysis of variance.Results: Independent-test immediately and 30 minutes after the intervention showed that mean systolic blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation in the intervention group were significantly lower and higher than the control group, respectively; however, mean diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly different. However, 30 minutes after intervention, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the intervention group.Conclusions: Acupressure in five points of body had a positive effect on physiological parameters, and showed that after a short time of interventions these parameters lead to promotion over time.

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PMID: 

Med Acupunct. 2018 Apr 1 ;30(2):73-79. PMID: 29682147

Abstract Title: 

Acupuncture or Acupressure on(EX-HN 3) for Anxiety: A Preliminary Review.

Abstract: 

Anxiety is a very common psychiatric symptom and can also occur in many physical conditions. Due to the limitations of conventional pharmacotherapy, the discovery of nonpharmacologic treatments that alleviate anxiety effectively is clinically important.(EX-HN 3), an acupoint located between the eyebrows, is known to have a mentally stabilizing effect in Traditional Chinese Medicine.This preliminary review was conducted to investigate the current state of studies using acupressure or acupuncture on EX-HN 3 alone for anxiety, and to explore ways to apply this in clinical settings and future research, including systematic reviews and clinical trials.The authors searched 2 electronic medical databases, including PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, up to December 7, 2017, to collect clinical studies that used acupuncture or acupressure on EX-HN 3 only to relieve anxiety. Methodological qualities of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and a Jadad scale.Five RCTs were included. Most of the RCTs were aimed at preoperative participants. In this population, the reduction of self-reported anxiety was consistently significant.Acupuncture or acupressure on EX-HN 3 was used mainly to reduce the anxiety of preoperative participants. The simplicity and economics of this intervention suggest the need for future rigorous clinical trials or systematic reviews on this topic. In addition, more experimental studies should be conducted to identify the underlying mechanisms of this anxiolytic effect.

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