Effects of lifelong physical exercise and its relation to immunosesnecence and the circadian rhythm

Abstract

Aging is characterized by a gradual decline in numerous physiological processes, including reduction in metabolic function, increase in fat mass, reduction of lean mass, decline in immune function leading to increased susceptibility to disease, reduced cognitive performance, beyond of the alteration in the circadian rhythms. These changes in the circadian rhythms can trigger alterations in the metabolism, hormone production and immune response. The circadian rhythm can control of several factors physiological and behavioral. The physical exercise program can be a useful and low cost intervention as a strategy to improve the quality of life and promote healthy aging through the regulation of circadian rhythms. We aim to evaluate the role of clock genes expression on lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in master athletes and sedentary individual, correlate the clock gene expression with cytokines production in basal and stimulated condition, determine clock gene and cytokines mRNA expression of lymphocytes and PBMCs incubated with different doses of melatonin in both groups and associate with subjective sleep quality, mood and quality of life by questionnaires. Methods: To carry out the project, Athletes masters and sedentary individuals (60 to 75 years old) will be recruited. They will attend the laboratory, sign the informed consent form, answer questionnaires and blood samples will be collected for lymphocyte and PBMCs isolation and biochemical analyzes. We will analyzed the cytokines production in the serum (IL-6, IL-10, INFy e TNF-±) and in the medium of Lymphocytes cell culture (IL-10 and INFy). In the Lymphocyte and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) isolation, will be analyzed the clock genes and these cells will be marked with specific antibody for CD4 and CD25. Expression will be determinate by flux cytometry. Sleep quality and chronotypes will be evaluated by questionnaire.