Justus E. Hallam

Human blood mononuclear cell in vitro cytokine response before and after two different strenuous exercise bouts in the presence of bloodroot and Echinacea extracts.

The purpose of this multidisciplinary investigation was to characterize cytokine production by human blood mononuclear cells after 2 contrasting exercise bouts (a maximal graded oxygen consumption [VO(2)max] test and 90 min of cycling at 85% of ventilatory threshold [VT]) when stimulated in vitro with extracts from bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis), or solvent vehicle controls. Blood was sampled pre- and post-exercise. Production of TNF, IL-1beta, and IL-10 were measured at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. In the VO(2)max test there was a main effect of exercise such that exercise increased cytokine synthesis and a main effect of stimulant such that bloodroot extracts significantly increased cytokine production compared to other stimulants or controls. In the 90-min bout, there was a main effect of exercise for TNF and IL-1beta (but not IL-10) such that exercise decreased cytokine synthesis and a main effect of stimulant such that bloodroot extracts significantly increased cytokine production compared to other stimulants or controls, with exercisexstimulant interactions for both IL-1beta and IL-10. A similar though weaker effect was seen with Echinacea extracts; subsequent biochemical analyses suggested this was related to alkamide decay during 3 years undisturbed storage at ultralow (-80 degrees C) temperature. In this study, the VO(2)max test was associated with enhanced cytokine production whereas the 90-min cycling at 85% VT was associated with suppressed cytokine production. Bloodroot extracts were able to increase cytokine production in both contexts. Herbal extracts purported to offset exercise-associated effects on immune activity warrant continued investigation.

Multidisciplinary perspectives on mechanisms of activity of popular immune-enhancing herbal supplements used by athletes

This paper examines cellular and molecular mechanisms that may underpin the purported effects of five herbal supplements in the context of athlete immune function. Ginseng and echinacea are used frequently by athletes, whereas astragalus and elderberry are used infrequently and pequi is just emerging as a possible supplement. In vivo studies of these products on athlete immune function have yielded heterogeneous results, likely due to experimental design differences. Ginseng, echinacea, elderberry, and pequi are considered asterids sensu lato. Ginseng appears to exert strongest effects on components of adaptive immunity, in particular maintaining Th1/Th2 balance of CD4+T cells and their downstream effects, via its ginsenosides, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Echinacea alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysacchardies may target both innate and adaptive immunity, though perhaps the former more consistently. Elderberry harbors anthocyanins and lectins which may modulate innate immunity. Data on pequi is limited but suggests that carotenoids, phenols, and fatty acids may alter circulating leukocyte populations. More phylogenetically distant, astragalus is a rosid sensu lato and may influence the innate immune system through flavonoids, polysaccharides, and saponins. Supplements generally demonstrate no effects on physiologic parameters such as lactate, oxygen dynamics, or athletic performance. Bioavailability studies indicate that purported bioactive molecules of these supplements may reach circulation in low but therapeutically-relevant quantities. Difficulties in crosscomparisons due to study design differences, coupled with an overall dearth of research on the topic, currently hamper any formal conclusions regarding the efficacy of these supplements as immunoregulators for athletes.

Association of Sleep Quality With Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Mental Health in Law Enforcement Officers.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether sleep quality is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) or worsened mental health. Methods: Self-reported sleep quality, 35 inflammatory factors, CVD risk factors, personal stress, police operational and organizational stress, social support, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life were compared among a cohort of officers. Results: Of 379 officers, 39% and 27% had poor and borderline sleep quality. Sleep quality was not associated with either an altered inflammatory profile or worsened CVD risk factors. Compared with good sleepers, borderline and poor sleepers reported increased personal stress, police organizational and operational stress, and depressive symptoms, but decreased health-related quality of life. Conclusions: Poor sleep quality is prevalent in the law enforcement profession and is associated with worsened mental health but not with an increased risk for CVD.

216. Immunomodulatory activities of bloodroot extracts or isolated constituent alkaloids in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Obesity/overweight conditions are associated with reduced response to vaccines and increased levels of inflammatory factors. Two different types of long term exercise interventions were compared for their effects on depression, inflammatory responses and immunity to influenza vaccine in overweight and normal weight older adults. Subjects were divided into a CARDIO exercise group (moderate intensity exercise, 3 /week, 30–45 min) or FLEX exercise group (low intensity stretching/weight training, 3 /week, 30–45 min) for 1 year. Prior to the intervention, increased BMI was significantly correlated with reduced antibody to influenza vaccine, reduced T-cell proliferative response to influenza, and increased serum CRP and PBMC production of TNFalpha and IL-6. After the intervention, overweight subjects (BMI > 30) in the CARDIO group had significantly greater decreases in depression score compared to overweight subjects in the FLEX group or normal weight subjects in the CARDIO group. After the intervention, in the CARDIO group, antibody response, PBMC TNFalpha and IL-6 were no longer different between overweight and normal weight individuals. However, in the FLEX group, overweight subjects tended to have poorer antibody response to recall antigen, increased serum CRP, and increased IL-6 and TNFalpha production by PBMC. These findings suggest that CARDIO exercise reduces depression score to greater extent than FLEX exercise in overweight subjects, and that CARDIO exercise attenuates the negative effects of overweight/obesity on immune function.