Cytokine profiles and salivary IgA and hormonal responses to an acute bout of strenuous endurance exercise

Introduction: Strenuous endurance exercise suppresses some immune variables such as T helper (Th) cell activities during the post-exercise recovery period. Changes in the Th1/Th2 response to exercise have been reported previously; however, earlier reports have not investigated cytokine production by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated Th cells following strenuous endurance exercise. Changes in plasma cortisol and salivary IgA concentrations have been linked to the exercise-induced immunosuppression explained by the ‘open window’ theory. This study measured the production of cytokines by Th1/Th2/Th17 cells, salivary IgA concentration and plasma cortisol concentration for 8 h following an acute bout of strenuous endurance exercise.