The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the effects of a regular, moderate exercise program on the immune response to influenza immunization in older adults; and to determine whether the mechanisms of the exercise-induced immunomodulation involve psychosocial and/or neuroendocrine adaptations. Older adults experience a greater incidence and severity of influenza infection, as well as reduced vaccine efficacy. We hypothesize that exercise will enhance immune response to the vaccine and improve psychosocial state. A total of 72 men and women > age 65 will be assigned to an exercise (EX), n=36, or control (CON) group, n=36. An additional 32 subjects (n= 16 EX, n=16 CON) currently treated with non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists will be recruited to test the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory effects of exercise are mediated via catecholamine activation of beta-adrenergic receptors. Subjects will be immunized with influenza vaccine and will be randomly assigned to participate in either a regular vigorous aerobic exercise program (EX) or a flexibility program (CON) for one year. Blood samples will be taken pre and post-immunization. At the end of one year, subjects will be immunized again and blood samples will be taken pre-immunization and up to 6 months post-immunization. Psychosocial measures of depression, perceived stress, social support, positive/negative affect, and daily hassles/uplifts will be assessed numerous times throughout the study. The primary immune outcome measures are: anti-influenza IgG and IgG1, influenza specific peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cytokine (interleukin (lL)-2, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma) production, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function, and intracellular influenza-specific IL-2, IL-b 0, IFN-gamma, in CD4+, CD8+, CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ cells. Growth curve modeling will be used to analyze the relationship between treatment condition and changes in the measures of immunocompetence over time. The findings from this study may have relevance from both a clinical and basic research perspective, if moderate exercise is associated with enhanced anti-influenza immunity and improved protection from infection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI049956-01A1
Application #
6471076
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes 3 (BBBP)
Program Officer
Lambert, Linda C
Project Start
2002-06-01
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2002-06-01
Budget End
2003-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$323,325
Indirect Cost
Name
Iowa State University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Ames
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
50011
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Konopka, Del N; Shook, Robin P; Kohut, Marian L et al. (2008) Comparability of the 6-min walk test using different test configurations. J Aging Phys Act 16:355-61
Kohut, M L; McCann, D A; Russell, D W et al. (2006) Aerobic exercise, but not flexibility/resistance exercise, reduces serum IL-18, CRP, and IL-6 independent of beta-blockers, BMI, and psychosocial factors in older adults. Brain Behav Immun 20:201-9
Kohut, M L; Lee, W; Martin, A et al. (2005) The exercise-induced enhancement of influenza immunity is mediated in part by improvements in psychosocial factors in older adults. Brain Behav Immun 19:357-66
Kohut, Marian L; Arntson, Barbara A; Lee, Wanglok et al. (2004) Moderate exercise improves antibody response to influenza immunization in older adults. Vaccine 22:2298-306