INTRA- AND INTERRATER RELIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICALLY EVALUATED LYMPHOCYTE APOPTOSIS IN TRAINED AND UNTRAINED OBSERVERS

Exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis has been reported using biochemical analysis and morphological assessment. Morphological evaluation is limited by the subjective nature of the technique. This investigation evaluated the intra- and interrater reliability of trained and untrained observers assessing apoptosis morphologically. Blood smears at baseline (PRE) and following cycle ergometer exercise (POST) were assessed microscopically for each condition. To obtain reliability measures, cell sets were evaluated for morphological characteristics of apoptosis on two separate occasions by trained and untrained observers using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Test-retest reliability for trained observers was higher for both conditions than untrained observers. Interrater reliability was below-average or below acceptable regardless of training status. Exercise may induce apoptotic changes in lymphocytes that are more easily discriminated by trained observers. Investigations assessing exercise-induced apoptosis should train observers in order to produce reliable results, and a single trained observer would be expected to yield the most reliable results

Effects of aerobic and resistance training of long duration on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats

Objective: To determine possible changes in serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of eutrophic rats subjected to aerobic or resistance physical training. Methods: This study examined serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-1-β in rats that performed aerobic or resistance training for 16 weeks. Thirty-five Wistar rats (male adult) were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG), Aerobic Group (AG) and Resistance Group (RG). Rats were sacrificed 48 h after the final training session. Serum concentrations of cytokines were analysed by ELISA. Results: TNF-α levels were higher in the RG, followed by the AG and CG groups (p < 0.001). IFN-γ and IL-10 levels were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.097 and p = 0.17, respectively). The levels of IL6 and IL1-β were higher in AG compared to RG and CG (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.003, respectively). In general, our results indicate a higher pro-inflammatory profile in AG and probably RG animals. Conclusion: Further studies are required in order to better clarify the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, future studies should address the metabolic and molecular pathways involved in these responses. Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar posibles cambios en las concentraciones séricas de citoquinas pro y antiinflamatorias de ratas eutróficas sometidas a entrenamiento físico aérobico y de resistencia. Método: Se examinaron las concentraciones séricas de TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 e IL-1-β en ratas sometidas a entrenamiento aeróbico o de resistencia de 16 semanas de duración. Treinta y cinco ratas Wistar (macho adulto) fueron divididas en 3 grupos: Grupo Control (GC), Grupo Aeróbico (GA) y Grupo Resistencia (GR). Las ratas se sacrificaron 48 horas después de la sesión de entrenamiento final. Las concentraciones séricas de las citoquinas se analizaron por ELISA. Resultados: Los niveles de TNF-α fueron mayores en el GR, seguido por los grupos de GA y GC (p < 0.001). Los niveles de IFN-γ e IL-10 no fueron significativamente diferentes entre los grupos (p = 0.097 y p = 0.17, respectivamente). Los niveles de IL-6 y IL-1-β fueron mayores en GA comparado con GR y GC (p = 0.0004 y p = 0.003, respectivamente). En general, nuestros resultados indican mayor perfil antiinflamatorio en GA y probablemente en GR. Conclusión: Se necesitan estudios adicionales para aclarar mejor los efectos de un entrenamiento aeróbico o de resistencia en las citoquinas pro y antiinflamatorias. Además, los estudios futuros deben abordar las vías metabólicas y moleculares involucradas en estas respuestas. Resumo: Objetivo: Determinar as possíveis alterações nas concentrações séricas de citocinas pró e anti-inflamatórias de ratos eutróficos submetidos a treinamento físico aeróbio ou resistência. Método: Este estudo examinou a concentração sérica de TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 e IL-1-β em ratos que realizaram treinamento aeróbio e de resistência durante 16 semanas. Trinta e cinco ratos Wistar (macho adulto) foram divididos em 3 grupos: grupo controle (GC), grupo aeróbico (GA) e grupo de resistência (GR). Os ratos foram sacrificados 48 horas após a sessão de treino final. As concentrações séricas de citocinas foram analisadas por ELISA. Resultados: Os níveis de TNF-a foram maiores no GR, seguindo-se os grupos GA e GC (p < 0.001). IFN-γ e os níveis de IL-10 não foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos (p = 0.097 e p = 0.17, respectivamente). Os níveis de IL-6 e IL-1-β foram maiores em GA, quando comparados com GC e GR (p = 0.0004 e p = 0.003, respectivamente). Em geral, os nossos resultados indicam um perfil pró-inflamatório maior nos animais do GA e, provavelmente, no GR. Conclusão: Mais estudos são necessários para melhor esclarecer os efeitos do treinamento físico aeróbico e resistência sobre as citocinas pró e anti-inflamatórias. Além disso, estudos futuros devem abordar as vias metabólicas e moleculares envolvidas nestas respostas. Keywords: Aerobic training, Resistance training, Cytokines, Inflammation, Palabras clave: Entrenamiento aeróbico, Entrenamiento de resistencia, Citoquinas, Inflamación, Palavras-chave: Treinamento aeróbio, Treinamento de resistência, Citocinas, Inflamaçã