The effect of one bout submaximal endurance exercise on the innate and adaptive immune responses of hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Changes in some of the immune system factors are associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of one bout submaximal endurance exercise (OBSEE) on the innate and adaptive responses of hypertensive patients.

METHODS

From among 70 men with hypertension, 20 men (Mean ± SD, age: 60.25 ± 4.59 yrs, body mass index (BMI): 29.57 ± 3.68 k/m2, and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 34.83 ± 2.11 ml/kg/min) were chosen. The statistical sample performed OBSEE for 30 minutes and at 60-65% of the maximum heart rate reserve (MHRR). Blood sampling was performed to measure the response of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil (NEUT), basophil (BASO), eosinophil (EO), monocyte (MONO) and lymphocyte (LYMPH) of hypertensive patients before and immediately after exercise. Plasma volume changes (PVCs) were also calculated in order to find out accurate effectiveness of exercise. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to normalize the research data. To analyze the data, paired sample t-test was used at significant level (P ≤ 0.05). The hypothesis test was performed using SPSS software version 19.

RESULTS

The results after adjusting for PVCs showed that OBSEE significantly increased WBCs (P = 0.001) in hypertensive patients. On the other hand, a significant decrease was observed in EO (P = 0.001) and MONO (P = 0.001) levels after OBSEE. Significant changes were not found in NEUT (P = 0.072), BASO (P = 0.106), LYMPH (P = 0.440), IgA (P = 0.382), IgG (P = 0.245) and IgM (P = 0.081) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that OBSEE can reduce the risk of hypertension caused by elevated EO and MONO in hypertensive patients.