The Expression Pattern and Role of Interferon Gamma Genes in Exhaustive Exercise

Abstract

This study is aimed at determining the expression patterns of interferon gamma genes, white blood cell recruitment capacity and the hormonal adaptation process in exercise exhausted young male undergraduate students. Twenty-five young male undergraduate students of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, aged 24.3 ± 3 years participated in this study. The subjects took part in an endurance race using the Bruce treadmill protocol for sub-maximal exercise for a maximum of 21 minutes. Blood samples were collected from the participants before commencement of the study, at 1 hour, 4 hours and 24 hours post exercise. The blood samples were used for follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay methods while white blood cell count was estimated using the Sysmex Automated Hematology analyzer methods. Interferon gamma genes expression patterns were detected using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. Interferon gamma genes were expressed in all the participating students as from 4 hours post exercise and the expressions were sustained in all the participants for 24 hours post exercise. There were significant variations between pre and post exercise Mean ±SD values of absolute lymphocyte counts (cells/μl) (P = 0.000], absolute neutrophil counts (cells/μl) (P = 0.000], follicle stimulating hormone (nmol/L) (P = 0.000], luteinizing hormone (nmol/L) (P = 0.000]. Post exercise stress enhances the release of interferon gamma gene which modulates the immune responses of stressed individuals.