Gary J. Walker

The effect of caffeine ingestion on human neutrophil oxidative burst responses following time-trial cycling

Abstract Following fixed-duration exercise of submaximal intensity, caffeine ingestion is associated with an attenuation of the exercise-induced decline in N-formyl-methionyl-phenyl-alanine (f-MLP) stimulated neutrophil oxidative burst. However, the response following high-intensity exhaustive exercise is unknown. Nine endurance-trained male cyclists ingested 6 mg caffeine or placebo per kilogram of body mass 60 min before cycling for 90 min at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2max) and then performing a time-trial requiring an energy expenditure equivalent to 30 min cycling at 70% maximum power output. Time-trial performance was 4% faster in the caffeine than in the placebo trial (P = 0.043). Caffeine was associated with an increased plasma adrenaline concentration after 90 min of exercise (P = 0.046) and immediately after the time-trial (P = 0.02). Caffeine was also associated with an increased serum caffeine concentration (P < 0.01) after 90 min of exercise and immediately after the time-trial, as well as 1 h after the time-trial. However, the f-MLP-stimulated neutrophil oxidative burst response fell after exercise in both trials (P = 0.002). There was no effect of caffeine on circulating leukocyte or neutrophil counts, but the lymphocyte count was significantly lower on caffeine (20%) after the time-trial (P = 0.003). Our results suggest that high-intensity exhaustive exercise negates the attenuation of the exercise-induced decrease in neutrophil oxidative burst responses previously observed when caffeine is ingested before exercise of fixed duration and intensity. This may be associated with the greater increase in adrenaline concentration observed in the present study.

No effect of fluid intake on neutrophil responses to prolonged cycling.

Ingesting carbohydrate beverages during prolonged exercise is associated with fewer numbers of circulating neutrophils and attenuated neutrophil functional responses, yet there is little information about the effect of fluid intake alone on immune responses to prolonged exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of regular fluid ingestion compared with no fluid ingestion on plasma cortisol, circulating neutrophil and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophil degranulation responses to prolonged cycling. In a randomized design, nine recreationally active males cycled for 2 h at 65% VO2max on two occasions with either fluid ingestion (lemon-flavoured water, fluid trial) before and during the exercise, or with no fluid intake at all (no fluid trial). Venous blood samples were obtained at rest, immediately after exercise and 1 h after exercise. Immediately after exercise, the plasma cortisol concentration was significantly higher in the no fluid trial than in the fluid trial (592 +/- 62 vs 670 +/- 63 nmol x l(-1), P < 0.05). Circulating numbers of neutrophils increased 4.5-fold (P < 0.01) and LPS-stimulated elastase release per neutrophil decreased 34 +/- 7% (P < 0.01) immediately after exercise; there were no differences between trials. These results suggest that in ambient environmental conditions, fluid ingestion alone has a negligible effect on circulating neutrophil and LPS-stimulated neutrophil degranulation responses to prolonged exercise.