Effect of a Short Maximal Physical Exercise on the Eosinophil Cationic Protein

Abstract

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been shown to be a marker of eosinophil granulocyte activation. In 10 healthy young subjects the plasma concentrations of ECP were measured before and after a graded maximal bicycle exercise test. The analyses were carried out 30 min before and immediately before exercise, immediately after exercise and 20 and 45 min later. The post-exercise values were corrected for plasma volume changes which were calculated from hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Immediately post-exercise the ECP increased significantly (p<0.01) from 1.25 ± 0.28 at rest to 2.40 ± 0.59 µg/l. Twenty and 45 min later the values normalized and significant differences from the pre-exercise values could no longer be measured. The results provide strong evidence for an activation of eosinophil granulocytes after a short maximal exercise.

Key words

Eosinophil cationic protein - ECP - eosinophil granulocytes - leukocytes - exercise