Study of the effects of glutamine supplementation on the immunophenotyping and activation profile of t and b lymphocytes from practicing or NON-EXERCISING seniors submitted to influenza virus vaccination

Abstract

Aging is a multifactorial phenomenon that can be defined as a dynamic and progressive process in which morphological, functional, biochemical and psychological changes occur due to the interaction of a series of variables such as genetic factors, lifestyle, and diseases. In general, such modifications lead to loss of functional capacity of several organ systems, being among the most affected, the immune system and the musculoskeletal system. In the case of aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, this is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, cancer and increased laboratory expression of autoimmunity. Immunosenescence in the seniors is largely influenced by the presence of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation associated with aging or "inflame-aging". However, the degree of decline in the immune response varies among seniors individuals and may be related to various everyday habits such as regular physical exercise or not. In addition, aspects related to nutritional factors, such as ingestion of certain essential amino acids, especially glutamine, may favor the maintenance of the function of cells of the immune system. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of L-glutamine supplementation on the immunophenotyping and the previously stored T and B cell activation profile of seniors individuals, whether or not practicing a regular program of combined physical exercises (both aerobic resistance) submitted to vaccination for the influenza virus. For this, 90 elderly individuals were recruited and grouped into: non-practicing group (NP, n = 45) and combined physical exercise group (NCS, n = 45), followed by 22 to 23 volunteers randomly divided into subgroups: LG, supplemented with L-glutamine (0.3g / kg / day) + maltodextrin (0.3g / kg / day) and PL (placebo) supplemented with maltodextrin (0.6g / kg / day). Volunteers from both subgroups were instructed to dilute the contents of the L-glutamine + maltodextrin or maltodextrin-only sachets in 250mL of water and immediately ingest the solution once daily for a period of 30 days. To respond to the proposed goal, blood samples were collected before the volunteer groups were submitted to vaccination against the influenza virus, which occurred between April 22 and 26, 2019, that is, the first week of vaccination for the senior population, and after 30 days from the date of vaccination. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained after density separation and subjected to freezing in liquid nitrogen for further determination of immunophenotyping and activation profile of T and B cells.