Oat β-glucan effects on neutrophil respiratory burst activity following exercise

Fatiguing exercise has been associated with a decrease in certain functions of neutrophils, whereas moderate exercise has generally been associated with an increase. Consumption of oat beta-glucan (O beta G), a soluble fiber and mild immune system enhancer, may offset the immunosuppression associated with intense training and perhaps further enhance the benefits of moderate exercise.Purpose: To test the effects of O beta G consumption on neutrophil function and number after both moderate and fatiguing exercise. Methods: Male mice were assigned to one of six treatment groups. Fatiguing exercise mice (Ftg-O beta G and Ftg-H2O) ran to volitional fatigue on a treadmill for three consecutive days, and moderate exercise mice (Mod-O beta G and Mod-H2O) ran for six consecutive days for 1 h. Control mice (Con-O beta G and Con-H2O) were exposed to the treadmill environment but did not run. OPG was consumed in the drinking water (similar to 0.6 mL(.)d(-1)) for 10 consecutive days. After rest or exercise on the last day of training, mice were given a 1-mL i.p. injection of thioglycollate. Mice were sacrificed 3 h later; neutrophils were harvested from the peritoneal cavity and counted, and their respiratory burst activity was measured using flow cytometry. Results: Both moderate exercise and O beta G increased neutrophil burst activity, whereas fati.uing exercise had no effect. Neutrophil number was increased by fatiguing exercise and O beta G, but not moderate exercise. There were no additive effects of exercise and O beta G on either of these variables. Conclusion: These data suggest that although not additive in their effects, both O beta G and exercise can alter overall neutrophil respiratory burst activity (number and/or function), but only O beta G increased both number and function, which may have important ramifications for defense against infection.