Lactoferrin Effect on Lymphocyte Cytokines and Apoptosis Is Independent of Exercise

Long-Term Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Football Players

Physical exercise, especially of high intensity, is a significant burden on an athlete's body. It should be emphasized that achieving high results in competitive sports requires the use of significant, sometimes extreme, exercise loads during training, which may result in homeostasis disorders, adversely affecting the fitness of athletes. This study aims to investigate the effects of 6 months of bovine colostrum supplementation on indicators of immune system functioning, selected parameters related to iron management, and anabolic/catabolic balance in young football players. Twenty-eight male football players completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol (24 weeks of colostrum/placebo). A standardized exercise test was executed at the beginning of the trial and after 3 and 6 months of supplementation. Blood samples were taken before and after the exercise test and after 3 h of recovery. Markers of iron homeostasis, pro- and anti-inflammatory balance, and hormonal responses were determined. A significant increase in immunoglobulin G concentration was observed, accompanied by a decrease in inflammatory markers in supplemented athletes. Bovine colostrum supplementation had no significant effect on athletes' performance or on iron management and hormonal response. The use of bovine colostrum, which is characterized by a high content of immunologically active compounds, can be an element of a relatively mild and safe intervention for reducing inflammation induced by intense physical exercise.

The exercise-glucocorticoid paradox: How exercise is beneficial to cognition, mood, and the brain while increasing glucocorticoid levels

Exercise is known to have beneficial effects on cognition, mood, and the brain. However, exercise also activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increases levels of the glucocorticoid cortisol (CORT). CORT, also known as the "stress hormone," is considered a mediator between chronic stress and depression and to link various cognitive deficits. Here, we review the evidence that shows that while both chronic stress and exercise elevate basal CORT levels leading to increased secretion of CORT, the former is detrimental to cognition/memory, mood/stress coping, and brain plasticity, while the latter is beneficial. We propose three preliminary answers to the exercise-CORT paradox. Importantly, the elevated CORT, through glucocorticoid receptors, functions to elevate dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex under chronic exercise but not chronic stress, and the medial prefrontal dopamine is essential for active coping. Future inquiries may provide further insights to promote our understanding of this paradox.

Voluntary exercise training in mice increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes and decreases the expression of TNF-alpha in intestinal lymphocytes

Acute exercise in mice induces intestinal lymphocyte (IL) apoptosis. Freewheel running reduces apoptosis and forced exercise training increases splenocyte antioxidant levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of freewheel running and acute exercise on mouse IL numbers and concentrations of apoptosis and antioxidant proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines in IL. Female C57BL/6 mice had access to in-cage running wheels (RW) or cages without wheels (NRW) for 16 weeks and were randomized at the end of training to no exercise control (TC) or to treadmill exercise with sacrifice after 90 min of running (TREAD; 30 min, 22 m min(-1); 30 min, 25 m min(-1); 30 min, 28 m min(-1); 2 degrees slope). IL were analyzed for pro-(caspase 3 and 7) and anti-(Bcl-2) apoptotic proteins, endogenous antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase: GPx; catalase: CAT) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha. RW mice had higher cytochrome oxidase (p<0.001) and citrate synthase (p<0.01) activities in plantaris and soleus muscles and higher GPx and CAT expression in IL (p<0.05) (indicative of training) compared with NRW mice. TNF-alpha expression was lower (p<0.05) and IL numbers higher (p<0.05) in RW vs. NRW mice. No training effect was observed for apoptotic protein expression, although TREAD resulted in higher caspase and lower Bcl-2. These results suggest that freewheel running in mice for 16 weeks enhances antioxidant and reduces TNF-alpha expression in IL but does not reduce pro-apoptotic protein expression after acute exercise. Results are discussed in terms of implications for inflammatory bowel diseases where apoptotic proteins and TNF-alpha levels are elevated.

Dietary Lactoferrin Does Not Prevent Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Murine Intestinal Lymphocyte Death

Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced intestinal inflammation is characterized by pronounced mucosal and epithelial cell damage. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf), a common dietary protein, influences inflammatory cytokines and intestinal lymphocyte (IL) apoptosis. The objectives of this study were to determine if 1) DSS induces IL necrotic or apoptotic death, 2) dietary bLf affects DSS induced IL death and 3) bLf alters cytokine profiles during DSS induced inflammation. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomized to 2% or 0% bLf diets for 12 d and within diets to 5% or 0% DSS in the drinking water for 4 d after which intestinal histology, IL number, IL apoptosis/necrosis, IL phenotypes, protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and transcription factor (NFκB), apoptotic (caspase 3, Bax) proteins, anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) protein in IL were evaluated. DSS treatment resulted in shortened intestinal length, decreased body weight and widespread mucosal damage as well as increased IL death as determined by a decreased percentage of viable (PI−/ANN−, P < 0.005) and increased percentage of necrotic/late apoptotic (PI+/ ANN+, P < 0.05) and necrotic (PI+/ANN−, P < 0.05) IL. DSS exposure increased caspase 3 ( P < 0.05) and decreased Bcl-2 ( P < 0.01) protein levels in mouse IL. Dietary bLf did not influence these cell death outcome measures. However, bLf reduced protein levels of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor, NFκB, in IL ( P < 0.05) and was associated with a 34%, albeit non-significant, reduction in TNF-α relative to non-bLf fed mice. DSS treatment increased apoptosis and necrosis of mouse IL and elevated pro-apoptotic and reduced anti-apoptotic protein levels in these cells. Dietary bLf did not influence necrosis or apoptosis of IL but may provide limited protection in the intestine by affecting the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NFκB, and potentially, cytokine expression.