Protective аction of ginseng root extract on myofibril apoptosis and immune response in rats after exhausting physical exercise. Part II. Effect of ginseng root extract on immunity and regulation of energy metabolism

• Eleonora N. Trushina
• Nikolay A. Riger
• Oksana K. Mustaphina
• Andrey N. Timonin
• Ilya V. Aksenov
• Alexander G. Krasutsky
• Viktor A. Tutelyan
• Dmitriy B. Nikityuk

Abstract

The quest for new bioactive compounds with an immune-oriented focus, as well as the study of the mechanisms of immunotropic action of the plant adaptogens used to restore and strengthen the immune system in athletes after intense physical exertion is a priority area of the research in sports medicine.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect intragastric administration of ginseng root extract (GRE) (ginsenosides) on immunity and regulation of energy metabolism in rats after exhausting physical exercise (EPE).

Material and methods. The study was conducted on 5 groups of male Wistar rats with an initial body weight of ≈250 g. Animals of the control (the 1^st) and experimental groups were placed on a treadmill for 20 min 3 times a week for 2 weeks, after the training was completed, an EPE test was performed (except for the control). 30 min before the training and EPE, rats of groups 3–5 were intragastrically administered GRE in physiological solution at doses of 2.7, 13.5 and 27.0 mg per 1 kg of body weight in terms of ginsenosides, respectively; animals of groups 1 and 2 – physiological solution. Animals were withdrawn from the experiment within 30 min after the cessation of EPE. Expression of CD45R, CD3, CD4, CD8a, CD161 receptors on rat peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by direct immunofluorescence staining of whole blood cells using a panel of monoclonal antibodies on an FC-500 flow cytometer. A basic commercial kit was used to determine the levels of cytokines: interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), hormones leptin and ghrelin. Measurements were performed on a Luminex 200 multiplex analyzer using xMAP (multianalyte profiling) technology and Luminex xPONENT Version 3.1 software.

Results. EPE in rats caused changes in the composition of lymphocyte subpopulations, manifested in an increase in the relative content of CD8⁺ cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood with a decrease in the immunoregulatory index (СD4⁺/CD8⁺). Increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A and TNF-α) found in group 2 rats after EPE indicate the presence of inflammatory processes in damaged organs and tissues, including skeletal muscles. Intragastric administration of ginseng root extract to rats had a dose-dependent protective effect, as evidenced by normalization of the composition of lymphocyte subpopulations, a decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an increase in the activity of Treg (regulatory T-lymphocytes) and Th2 (T-helpers type 2) with an increase in the production of IL-10 and IL-4, positive modulation of the IL-10/IL-17A ratio and restoration of the overall cytokine profile to control values. Ginseng root extract also has a positive effect on energy metabolism, in which regulation leptin and ghrelin participate. Administration of the maximum dose of ginseng root extract (27 mg/kg body weight) to rats induced activation of innate immunity, as evidenced by an increase in the relative content of NK and NKT cells in the peripheral blood.

Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the regulatory and normalizing effect of ginseng root extract (ginsenosides) on the immune status and energy metabolism of Wistar rats after EPE, which indicates the prospect of its use in stressful situations caused by physical overexertion in humans.

Keywords: ginseng root extract; exhausting physical exercise; cellular immunity; cytokines; leptin; ghrelin

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