Changes in chosen immune system indicators and the level of HSP-70 after single whole-body cryostimulation in healthy men

The Effect of Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on Sirt1 and Sirt3 Concentrations and Oxidative Status in Older and Young Men Performing Different Levels of Physical Activity

Background: The activity of antioxidant enzymes and sirtuins (Sirt) decreases along with age, which is counteracted by aerobic training. Sirtuins increase antioxidant defence. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) increases total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in young men. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of 24 WBC treatments on the blood concentration of selected sirtuins and the level of antioxidant defence as well as oxidative stress index of training and non-training men depending on age. Methods: The study involved 40 males. In each group, there were 10 non-training older and young men (60 NTR and 20 NTR), and 10 older and young long-distance runners (60 TR, 20 TR). During an 8-week period, participants underwent 24 WBC treatments (3 min −130 °C), which were performed three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The concentrations of Sirt1, Sirt3, TAC, total oxidative status and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the blood were determined before 1 WBC and after 1 WBC, 12 WBC and 24 WBC. Results: After 1 WBC, the activity of GPx and the concentration of Sirt1 and TAC in 60 TR and TAC in 60 NTR increased. After 12 WBC, the level of Sirt1 in 20 NTR and SOD in 20 TR increased. After 24 WBC, the level of Sirt1 increased in 60 TR and in 20 NTR, Sirt3 in 60 TR and SOD in 20 TR. Conclusions: Cryogenic temperatures increase blood levels of Sirt1 and Sirt3 and systemic antioxidant defence in men, but the effect is dependent on age, level of performed physical activity and the number of applied treatments.

The effect of whole-body cryostimulation on body composition and leukocyte expression of HSPA1A, HSPB1, and CRP in obese men

In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically and has become a 21st century epidemic. Obesity is associated with the development of many diseases, and therefore treatments that can reduce body mass are actively sought. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 20 cryostimulation sessions on body composition in obese/high body mass (HBM, n = 12) males and normal body mass (NBM, n = 9) controls. The HBM group had a mean age = 29.08 ± 4.19 years, body fat percentage = 32.08 ± 6.16%, body mass index = 36.23 ± 8.13 kg/m²) and NBM group had a mean age = 22.00 ± 2.45 years, body fat percentage = 12.14 ± 4.93%, body mass index = 23.58 ± 2.00 kg/m². Kilocalorie intake was similar for both groups. All participants received 20 sessions of systemic cryostimulation at -120°C for 2-3 min in a cryochamber. Blood samples were collected before the first session, 1 h after the 10th session, and 1 h after the 20th cryostimulation session. C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations, and expression of the heat shock protein genes (HSPA1A, HSPB1) and CRP mRNA in leukocytes were evaluated after 10 and 20 cryostimulation sessions. In both groups, 20 sessions were associated with a significant decrease in body mass, fat mass and the percentage of body fat. CRP concentrations were significantly higher in obese people before the first session and after 10 treatments, but not at the end of study. Expression of HSPA1A and HSPB1 mRNA gradually decreased with the number of cryostimulation sessions. A significant difference in HSPA1A expression was found after 20 sessions (NBM > HBM) and for HSPB1 at baseline and after 20 sessions (HBM > NBM). Our results show that cryostimulation influences body composition and that cryostimulation-induced HSP genes expression depends on the number of cryosessions and baseline body mass, and is differentially altered in HBM individuals. Further research on the interaction between body mass and cold adaptation is warranted.