Background: Cell adhesion molecules are proteins expressed on the
surface of a variety of cells and mediate the leucocyte response to
inflammation. Some of these molecules are released to the plasma as
soluble forms, whose presence indicates the degree of vascular
endothelial activation or dysfunction. Increased concentrations of
soluble adhesion molecules are thought to hamper the immune response and
mediate the atherosclerotic inflammatory process. Studies on the effect
of exercise on the concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules have
almost exclusively used aerobic exercise.
Aim: To assess the effect of resistance exercise on the serum
concentrations of five cell adhesion molecules during and immediately
after 30 min of exercise in lean and obese participants.
Methods: Fourteen healthy young men (eight lean and six obese) performed
3 sets of 10 resistance exercises with 10-12 repetitions at 70-75% of
one repetition maximum in a circuit training fashion. Venous blood
samples were drawn at baseline and at the end of the first, second and
third sets. The serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion
molecule-1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin,
P-selectin and L-selectin were measured in a biochip array analyser.
Results: No significant changes were observed in the concentrations of
these cell adhesion molecules during exercise, or between lean and obese
participants.
Conclusion: Our data indicate that resistance exercise of moderate to
high intensity does not affect the serum concentrations of cell adhesion
molecules in healthy young lean or obese men, suggesting no considerable
negative effect on immune function