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| 2. |
- Hägg Samuelsson, Ulrika, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Voluntary physical exercise-induced vascular effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats
- 2004
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In: Clin Sci (Lond). - 0143-5221. ; 107:6, s. 571-81
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Forced training has been shown to have beneficial vascular effects in various animal exercise models. In the present study, we explored possible physiological and molecular effects of voluntary physical exercise on various vascular beds. SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rats) performed voluntary exercise for 5 weeks in a computerized wheel cage facility. Ex vivo myograph studies revealed an increased sensitivity of the ACh (acetylcholine)-mediated vasodilation in resistance arteries of the exercised animals (ED50=15.0+/-3.5 nmol/l) compared with the controls (ED50=37.0+/-8.8 nmol/l; P=0.05). The exercise/control difference was abolished after scavenging reactive oxygen radicals. In conduit arteries, ACh induced a similar vasodilatory response in both groups. The in vivo aortic wall stiffness, assessed by means of Doppler tissue echography, was significantly lower in the exercising animals than in controls. This was demonstrated by significantly increased peak systolic aortic wall velocity (P=0.03) and the velocity time integral (P=0.01) in exercising animals compared with controls. The relative gene expression of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) was similar in both groups of animals, whereas Cu/ZnSOD (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase) gene expression was significantly increased (+111%; P=0.0007) in the exercising animal compared with controls. In conclusion, voluntary physical exercise differentially improves vascular function in various vascular beds. Increased vascular compliance and antioxidative capacity may contribute to the atheroprotective effects associated with physical exercise in conduit vessels.
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| 3. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966, et al.
(author)
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Enhancement of natural immunity seen after voluntary exercise in rats. Role of central opioid receptors.
- 2000
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In: Life sciences. - 0024-3205. ; 66:13, s. 1231-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic voluntary exercise in wheels for 5 weeks in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) augments in vivo natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity. Endogenous beta-endorphin is increased in cerebrospinal fluid after voluntary exercise in rats and we have recently shown that beta-endorphin administered i.c.v. augments NK cell mediated cytotoxicity in vivo in a similar way as chronic voluntary exercise. We have now further investigated the involvement of central opioid systems in the exercise-induced augmentation in natural immunity. Exercise consisted of voluntary running in wheels for 5 weeks. In vivo cytotoxicity was measured as clearance of injected 51Cr-labeled YAC-1 lymphoma cells from the lungs. The clearance of YAC-1 cells in vivo was significantly increased in runners as compared to sedentary controls. Selective delta, kappa, or mu-opioid receptor antagonists were administered i.c.v. with osmotic minipumps during the last 6 days of the 5 weeks of running. The delta-receptor antagonist naltrindole (40-50 microg/day) significantly but not completely inhibited the enhanced NK-cell cytotoxicity seen after 5 weeks of exercise. Neither the kappa-receptor antagonist nor-BNI or the mu-receptor antagonist beta-FNA influenced the augmentation in NK cell cytotoxicity. Nor-BNI per se significantly augments in vivo cytotoxicity, indicating some inhibiting effect on natural immunity that could be mediated through the kappa-opioid receptor. Our data suggest the involvement of central delta-opioid receptors in the enhancement of natural cytotoxicity seen after chronic voluntary exercise.
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| 4. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966
(author)
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Exercise immunology: neuroendocrine regulation of NK-cells.
- 2000
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In: International journal of sports medicine. - 0172-4622. ; 21 Suppl 1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Natural immunity, including that of the natural killer (NK) cells, is strongly influenced by physical exercise, but the physiological significance of the reported changes in NK cells after exercise training is as yet unclear. The exercise effect is likely mediated by interactions between the central nervous and endocrine systems. Chronic activation of endogenous opioid systems augments natural cytotoxicity. We have investigated the possible involvement of opioids in the exercise-induced enhancement of NK cell function. The pathways by which the central nervous system may communicate with the periphery include neuroendocrine outflow via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) through direct nerve fiber connections with cells or the organs of the immune system. This review will discuss the role of various neuroendocrine factors such as growth hormone, catecholamines and glucocorticoids and the role of the ANS, in particular the sympathetic division, in modulating NK cell function in response to exercise.
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| 5. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966, et al.
(author)
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Muscle contractions induce interleukin-6 mRNA production in rat skeletal muscles.
- 2000
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In: The Journal of physiology. - 0022-3751. ; 528 Pt 1, s. 157-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 1. The present study explored the hypothesis that interleukin-6 (IL-6) might be locally produced in response to skeletal muscle contractions and whether the production might reflect the type of muscle contraction performed. Rats were anaesthetized and the calf muscles of one limb were stimulated electrically for concentric or eccentric contractions (4 x 10 contractions with 1 min of rest between the 4 series, 100 Hz). The contralateral muscles served as unstimulated controls. The mRNA levels for IL-6, the glucose transport protein GLUT-4 and beta-actin in the rat muscles (white and red gastrocnemius and soleus) were quantified by quantitative competitive RT-PCR. 2. The IL-6 mRNA level, measured 30 min after the stimulation, increased after both eccentric and concentric contractions and there were no significant differences in IL-6 mRNA levels between the different muscle fibre types. No significant increase in IL-6 mRNA level was seen in the unstimulated contralateral muscle fibres. 3. No increase in GLUT-4 mRNA level was detected, indicating that the increase in IL-6 mRNA level was not due to general changes in transcription. 4. We conclude that IL-6 is locally produced after muscle contraction, with no significant differences between different muscle fibre types. This local production of IL-6 is not due to general changes in transcription, since no changes in the level of GLUT-4 mRNA were found. The fact that increased IL-6 mRNA levels were seen after both concentric and eccentric contractions indicates that the production of IL-6 is not solely due to muscle damage, seen primarily after eccentric exercise.
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| 6. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966
(author)
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Special feature for the Olympics: effects of exercise on the immune system: neuropeptides and their interaction with exercise and immune function.
- 2000
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In: Immunology and cell biology. - 0818-9641. ; 78:5, s. 562-70
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is known today that the immune system is influenced by various types of psychological and physiological stressors, including physical activity. It is well known that physical activity can influence neuropeptide levels both in the central nervous system as well as in peripheral blood. The reported changes of immune function in response to exercise have been suggested to be partly regulated by the activation of different neuropeptides and the identification of receptors for neuropeptides and steroid hormones on cells of the immune system has created a new dimension in this endocrine-immune interaction. It has also been shown that immune cells are capable of producing neuropeptides, creating a bidirectional link between the nervous and immune systems. The most common neuropeptides mentioned in this context are the endogenous opioids. The activation of endogenous opioid peptides in response to physical exercise is well known in the literature, as well as the immunomodulation mediated by opioid peptides. The role of endogenous opioids in the exercise-induced modulation of immune function is less clear. The present paper will also discuss the role of other neuroendocrine factors, such as substance P, neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal peptide, and pituitary hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin and adrenocorticotrophin, in exercise and their possible effects on immune function.
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| 7. |
- Jonsdottir, Ingibjörg H, 1966, et al.
(author)
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The significance of intensity and duration of exercise on natural immunity in rats.
- 2000
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In: Medicine and science in sports and exercise. - 0195-9131. ; 32:11, s. 1908-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine a) the relationship between running distance (km x d(-1)) and b) the duration of exercise training in weeks on the effects on natural immune function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Exercise consisted of voluntary running in wheels for 5 or 11 wk. In vivo cytotoxicity was measured as clearance of injected 51Cr-labeled YAC-1 lymphoma cells from the lungs. RESULTS: Increased in vivo cytotoxicity was seen after 5 wk of exercise (P < 0.001) but not after voluntary exercise for 11 wk. If the wheels were locked 3 d x wk(-1) during the last 6 wk of running, thus restricting the exercise to 4 d x wk(-1), the exercise-induced immunoenhancement seen after 5 wk of exercise was maintained also after 11 wk of exercise. When compared with the sedentary controls after 5 wk of exercise, all runners regardless of running distance exhibited significantly higher in vivo clearance of tumor cells from the lungs, and no overall significant correlation was seen between running distance and retained radioactivity. However, the lowest activity runners (< 4 km x d(-1)) exhibited significantly lower in vivo clearance of tumor cells from the lungs when compared with animals running more than 4 km x d(-1). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the duration of exercise training, and to some extent the running distance, has significant effects on the training-induced increase in natural immune function in rats. Furthermore, we conclude that a resting or recovery period during long-term exercise training is important to maintain the immunoenhancing effects in response to exercise.
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| 8. |
- Kadi, Fawzi, et al.
(author)
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The effects of physical activity and estrogen treatment on rat fast and slow skeletal muscles following ovariectomy.
- 2002
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In: Journal of muscle research and cell motility. - Dordrecht : Springer. - 0142-4319 .- 1573-2657. ; 23:4, s. 335-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Decreased estrogen production is associated with changes in the skeletal, cardiovascular and muscular systems. At the level of skeletal muscles, it has been shown that a reduction in force production occurs at menopause but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition. Additionally, we studied the effects of physical activity and the combined effects of physical activity and estrogen treatment on MyHC content in ovariectomised (OX) animals. Twenty-five rats were randomly assigned to five different groups: controls, runners, OX, ovariectomised runners and ovariectomised runners receiving estrogen. Exercise consisted of voluntary running for 5 weeks. Two muscles were analysed: m. extensor digitorum longus, EDL, (fast muscle) and m. soleus (slow muscle). MyHC content was analysed on 8% gel electrophoresis. The level of running activity is reduced in OX animals and estrogen administration is associated with the normalisation of the level of physical activity. Ovariectomy induces a shift from fast to slow MyHC isoforms in both the soleus and EDL. When OX animals are allowed to run, alterations in MyHC isoforms are still observed in the EDL but not in the soleus. When physical activity is combined with estrogen treatment no alterations are observed in both muscles. In conclusion, this study shows that ovariectomy induces alterations in the contractile properties of skeletal muscles and that physical activity in combination with estrogen treatment are associated with the maintenance of slow and fast muscle characteristics.
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| 9. |
- Persson, Anders I., 1973, et al.
(author)
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Differential regulation of hippocampal progenitor proliferation by opioid receptor antagonists in running and non-running spontaneously hypertensive rats.
- 2004
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In: The European journal of neuroscience. - : Wiley. - 0953-816X .- 1460-9568. ; 19:7, s. 1847-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Voluntary running in mice and forced treadmill running in rats have been shown to increase the amount of proliferating cells in the hippocampus. Little is known as yet about the mechanisms involved in these processes. It is well known that the endogenous opioid system is affected during running and other forms of physical exercise. In this study, we evaluated the involvement of the endogenous opioids in the regulation of hippocampal proliferation in non-running and voluntary running rats. Nine days of wheel running was compared with non-running in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a rat strain known to run voluntarily. On the last 2 days of the experimental period all rats received two daily injections of the opioid receptor antagonists naltrexone or naltrindole together with injections of bromodeoxyuridine to label dividing cells. Brain sections from the running rats showed approximately a five-fold increase in newly generated cells in the hippocampus, and this increase was partly reduced by naltrexone but not by naltrindole. By contrast, both naltrexone and naltrindole increased hippocampal proliferation in non-running rats. In non-running rats the administration of naltrexone decreased corticosterone levels and adrenal gland weights, whereas no significant effects on these parameters could be detected for naltrindole. However, adrenal gland weights were increased in naltrexone- but not in naltrindole-administered running rats. In addition, in voluntary running rats there was a three-fold increase in the hippocampal levels of Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe compared with non-runners, indicating an increase in opioid activity in the hippocampus during running. These data suggest an involvement of endogenous opioids in the regulation of hippocampal proliferation in non-running rats, probably through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis modulation. During voluntary running in SHR naltrexone altered hippocampal proliferation via as yet unknown mechanisms.
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