Exercise modality, volume, intensity, as well as physical fitness and nutritional factors may modulate the immune response. The purpose of this investigation was to verify the effects of chronic oat bran supplementation on immune cells in trained rats submitted to an extenuating test. Wistar rats (two months old), +200g weight, divided into three groups (n = 9, per group) were used: 1) a sedentary control (C) 2) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test (EX), and 3) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test with 30% oat bran supplementation (EXA). Training consisted of 60 daily minutes of swimming, five days a week, during eight weeks. The analyses conducted were: total leukocytes, lymphocytes from lymph nodes, peritoneal macrophages and peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity. Statistical analyses were done by the two-way ANOVA test, followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). EX group presented leukocytosis when compared to control; however, EXA group did not. In exercised group, comparison with EXA has shown lower leukocytosis in relation to EX. No significant alteration was observed for tissue lymphocytes in any of the exercised groups. The number of peritoneal macrophages as well as phagocytic capacity of this cell was higher in exercised groups. In oat bran supplemented group the phagocytic capacity was higher as compared to exhaustion group without oat bran. Soluble fibers supplementation has shown benefic results with regard to immune alterations induced by exhaustive exercise, and increased peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity in rats trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test.
physical exercise; immune system; soluble fibers; phagocytic capacity
