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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effect of a High-Intensity Exercise Training on the Metabolism and Function of Macrophages and Lymphocytes of Walker 256 Tumor–Bearing Rats

Aline Villa Nova Bacurau^*, Mônica Aparecida Belmonte, Francisco Navarro, Milton Rocha Moraes^,, Francisco Luciano Pontes, Jr., Jorge Luiz Pesquero^||, Ronaldo Carvalho Araújo and Reury Frank Pereira Bacurau^,1

^* School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Physical Education, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil; and ^|| Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

To whom requests for reprints should be addressed at ¹ Rua Tamuanas, 86, Vila Zelina, São Paulo, CEP 03142-060, SP, Brazil. E-mail: reurybacurau{at}uol.com.br

Epidemiologic studies suggest that moderately intense training promotes augmented immune function, whereas strenuous exercise can cause immunosupression. Because the combat of cancer requires high immune function, high-intensity exercise could negatively affect the host organism; however, despite the epidemiologic data, there is a lack of experimental evidence to show that high-intensity training is harmful to the immune system. Therefore, we tested the influence of high-intensity treadmill training (10 weeks, 5 days/week, 30 mins/day, 85% VO₂max) on immune system function and tumor development in Walker 256 tumor–bearing Wistar rats. The metabolism of glucose and glutamine in lymphocytes and macrophages was assessed, in addition to some functional parameters such as hydrogen peroxide production, phagocytosis, and lymphocyte proliferative responses. The metabolism of Walker 256 cells was also investigated. Results demonstrated that high-intensity training increased the life span of tumor-bearing rats, promoted a reduction in tumor mass, and prevented indicators of cachexia. Several changes, such as a reduction in body weight and food intake and activation of glutamine metabolism in macrophages and lymphocytes induced by the presence of Walker 256 tumor, were prevented by high intensity training. The reduction in tumor growth was associated with an impairment of tumor cell glucose and glutamine metabolism. These data suggest that high-intensity exercise training may be a viable strategy against tumors.

Key Words: exercise • glucose • glutamine • cancer • immune function