Is exercise beneficial to the inflammatory bowel diseases? An implication of heat shock proteins

Effect of resistance exercise training on Crohn's disease patients

Crohn’s disease (CD) is observed with increased levels of cytokines which cause inflammation in many parts of the digestive tract. Aerobic exercise contributes to the reduction of the intestine’s inflammation and increases the quality of life. Another type of exercise that shows research interest about its effects on CD symptoms is the resistance exercise (RE). The aim of the study was to review the influence of RE on CD patients. The study’s literature was collected from PubMed and Scholar databases. According to the results, the main phase of a RE training program must have a gradual increase of intensity (60%–80%) and resting periods of 15–30 seconds after each exercise, and 2–3 minutes between exercises. Also, CD patients who were in remission improved the muscle strength and quality of life via their participation in RE training program. However, the secretion of interleukin-6 in both CD and RE contributes in various physiological mechanisms setting a contradictory role in the effectiveness of RE at the disease’s inflammatory situation. So, the use of RE training in CD patients needs more research for safer participation.

Favorable impact of long-term exercise on disease symptoms in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background

Evidence is growing that both short- and long-term physical exercise have the potential to positively impact on the physiological system related to inflammatory indices, though, such patterns are unknown for pediatric patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The aim of the present intervention study was to investigate the influence of a single bout and chronic moderate-intensity exercise on IBD-related inflammatory indices and exercise capacity among pediatric individuals with IBD and healthy controls.

Method

Twenty-one pediatric patients with IBD, split into a “remission-group” (IBD-RE; n = 14) and an “active disease group” (IBD-AD; n = 7), were compared to 23 age matched healthy controls (HC). All participants completed a single bout of exercise at baseline and an 8-week exercise intervention. Before and after the single bout of exercise IBD-related inflammatory indices (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, hemoglobin, hematocrit, thrombocytes and leukocytes) were assessed.

Results

At baseline, after a single bout of exercise, inflammation (albumin, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, hematocrit and leukocytes) increased in all three groups IBD-AD, IBD-RE and HC. CRP and thrombocytes were only elevated in IBD-AD and IBD-RE, compared to HC. After a longer-term exercise intervention, ESR, CRP and thrombocytes significantly decreased in all groups. The longer-term exercise intervention did not decrease acute immunopathologic responses after a single bout of exercise, compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Whereas a single bout of exercise increases albumin, erythrocytes and leukocytes, longer-term moderate-intensity exercise reduced inflammatory markers in pediatric patients with IBD. Children and teenagers with IBD should be encouraged to engage in regular moderate-intensity exercise activities, as such activities may contribute to inflammation suppression and improved disease management.

Psychological wellbeing and physical activity in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease compared to healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report impairments in daily activities, social interactions and coping. Findings regarding psychological functioning are inconsistent, while limited information is available on objectively assessed physical activity (PA). The aims of the present study were therefore to compare anthropometric dimensions, blood values, psychological functioning and PA of children and adolescents with IBD with healthy controls.

METHODS

Forty-seven children and adolescents took part in the study. Of these, 23 were diagnosed with IBD (mean age: 13.88 years, 44% females). The IBD group was divided into a medically well adjusted "remission-group" (n = 14; IBD-RE) and a group with an "active state" of disease (n = 8; IBD-AD). Healthy controls (n = 24; HC) were age- and gender-matched. Participants' anthropometric data, blood values and objective PA were assessed. Further, participants completed questionnaires covering socio-demographic data and psychological functioning.

RESULTS

Participants with IBD-AD showed higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) values, haemoglobin, and leukocyte values. IBD-AD had poorer psychological functioning and lower PA (average steps per day) compared to IBD-RE and HC. No mean differences were found between IBD-RE and HC.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of results suggests that effective medical treatment of IBD in children and adolescents is associated with favorable physiological parameters, psychological dimensions and PA. Psychological counselling of children and adolescents in an active state of IBD seem to be advised in addition to standard treatment schedules.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT NCT02264275 ; Registered 8 October 2014.

Effects of a structured exercise programme in sedentary dogs with chronic diarrhoea

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of a structured exercise programme in sedentary dogs with chronic diarrhoea. Twenty-two dogs were enrolled in the study. All dogs received oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day for 14 days, followed by a tapering dosage) for 10 weeks. After four weeks of prednisolone treatment, dogs were assigned to either the exercise or control group (n=11 each). Owners of dogs in the exercise group were instructed to guide their dogs in structured exercise training (low-intensity to moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise three to five days per week). After 10 weeks of prednisolone treatment with concomitant 6 weeks of complementary exercise, the Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) score had decreased significantly in the exercise group (from 8.8±1.5 at the start of the exercise programme to 2.4±1.5; P<0.001); no such change was observed in the control group (from 9.2±0.9 to 9.2±1.1). CIBDAI scores differed significantly between the groups at the end of the 10-week study period (P<0.001). The exercise programme affected all six CIBDAI parameters significantly; bodyweight (P<0.001, adjusted r²=0.722) was most affected. A structured exercise programme may have positive effects on clinical symptoms in sedentary dogs with chronic diarrhoea.

Heat shock protein 90 is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating skeletal muscle abnormalities in Parkinson's disease

Previous studies have confirmed that heat shock protein 90 overexpression can lead to dopaminergic neuronal death. This study was designed to further investigate what effects are produced by heat shock protein 90 after endurance exercise training. Immunohistochemistry results showed that exercise training significantly inhibited heat shock protein 90 overexpression in the soleus and gastrocnemius in Parkinson's disease rats, which is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating skeletal muscle abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.

Prescription of physical exercise in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Physical exercise may be potentially beneficial for recovering physical condition and improving quality of life in populations suffering from chronic conditions, but little is known about its effects on patients suffering from Crohn's disease.

AIMS

To provide reasonable and conservative recommendations for exercise regimens that appear clinically safe and feasible in patients suffering from Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Relevant clinical studies about the effects of physical exercise on Crohn's disease, written in English language and carried out with human subjects were reviewed.

RESULTS

Few relevant clinical studies have evaluated the effects of an exercise intervention on patients experiencing Crohn's disease. There seem to be two main types of physical interventions that should be recommended: aerobic activity and muscular resistance training.

CONCLUSIONS

Some basic guidelines about how to prescribe physical exercise in Crohn's disease can be provided. However, more research is needed as few studies have been carried out so far.