OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of moderate (MPT) and intense physical training (IPT) on the white blood cell profile and the microbicide activity of alveolar macrophages in 29 Wistar male rats. METHODS: The sample was separated into three groups: control group (sedentary), moderate training (MT), and intense training groups (IT). Swimming was the tool used to classify both moderate and intense training groups with a progressive increase of exercise load regarding body weight (up to 3% for the moderate physical training and 5% for the intense training group). The blood samples used to count total and differential leucocytes were automated by a hematological analyzer Sysmex XT-1800i (Roche®) before and after training sessions. At the end of the process, a bronchoalveolar lavage was carried out so to determine the amount of phagocytosis and the production of nitric oxide (NO) of the macrophages. RESULTS: The MT showed an increase in the number of leucocytes (12,77±2,0x17,25±2,4 10³/mm³), lymphocytes (8,87±1,0x 12,5±2,1 10³/mm³) and neutrophils (0,99±0,5x3,18 ±1,0 10³/mm³), p<0,05. There was also a higher production of NO (15,77±4,9µmols/mL) as well as a higher phagocytosis rate of (38,6%±8,65) as to the control group (6,58±1,9 µmols/mL and 24,4%±7,40, respectively). Whereas the IT showed a smaller phagocytosis rate (13,1%±1,52x 24,4%±7,40), a greater production of NO (38,40±2,1 x 6,58±1,9 µmols/mL) and an increase only in the number of neutrophils (2,6±1,4 x 0,99±0,5 10³/mm³) compared to the control group, p<0,001. CONCLUSIONS: The MPT induced a significant improvement in the defense mechanisms of the adult rats. On the other hand, the IPT induced a reduction in phagocytosis rate which could lead to the microbicide activity of the rats being damaged.
Physical exercise; Leukocytes; Phagocytes; Nitric oxide
