The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of endurance training during
a 1-month summer camp on the non-specific host defence systems of ten highly trained
male long-distance runners. Examinations with informed consent were carried out three
times: 2 days before the training began, an intermediate day, and 2 days after the
camp. The subjects ran a total of about 800 km during the camp. Neutrophilic reactive
oxygen species (ROS) generation determined by luminol- and lucigenin- dependent chemiluminescence
and cytochrome c reduction methods was assayed at two time points because the camp
was held far from our laboratory: neutrophils isolated 6 hours after blood sampling
were examined at all three time points and neutrophils isolated imimediately after
blood sampling were examined before and after the camp. The ROS production indicated
by peak height of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and peak velocity of cytochrome
c reduction from neutrophils isolated 6 hours after blood sampling was suppressed
after the camp (P < 0.05 for both), but, the ROS production from neutrophils isolated
immediately after blood sampling and the serum opsonic activity appeared not to be
affected. Neutrophils diminished their activity during the 6-hour waiting time after
the camp. These results suggest that the non-specific host defence system is not directly
impaired by long, strenuous endurance training.
Key words
Chemiluminescence - cytochrome c reduction - endurance training - luminol - lucigenin
- neutrophil - opsonin
