Effect of Moderate Exercise on Serum Interferon-Gamma and Interleukin-17 Levels in the Morphine Withdrawal Period.

BACKGROUND: Drug addiction triggers the infliction of a variety of diseases. Various subjects have indicated that during the withdrawal syndrome period, the immune system is weakened.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the changes in serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) during the morphine withdrawal syndrome induced by 8 weeks of moderate exercise and their effects on the immune system function.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (220 ± 10 g) were divided into four groups (n = 6): healthy control (HC), addicted control (AC), healthy trained (HT), and addicted trained (AT) groups. AC and AT groups were made addicted to morphine sulfate (0.4 mg/mL) in 21 days. To ensure their dependence on morphine, naloxone (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into the body of a number of the rats. HT and AT groups were made to run on a treadmill 5 days per week for 8 weeks while time and speed gradually increased. Both prior to the exercises and 24 hours after the last training session, blood samples were collected from all the animals, and serum IFN-γ and IL-17 serum levels were measured using the ELISA method. This research was performed at the Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.
RESULTS: After 8 weeks of exercise, a significant increase was observed in the serum IFN-γ level in the HT group (251.17 ± 13.045) in comparison with the HC group (234 ± 12.884) (P = 0.045). Furthermore, the serum IFN-γ level in the AT group (218.33 ± 5.164) in comparison to the AC group (190.67 ± 8.477) showed a significant increase (P = 0.000). In addition, the serum level of IFN-γ in the HT group showed a significant increase compared to the AT group (P = 0.000). After 8 weeks of exercise, there was a significant decrease in the serum IL-17 level in the HT group (22.67 ± 4.46) compared with the HC group (38.17 ± 7.68) (P = 0.005). In addition, a significant decrease was observed in serum IL-17 in the AT group (42.17 ± 7.41) in comparison with the AC group (57.17 ± 7.83) (P = 0.007). In addition, the serum IL-17 level in the HT group significantly decreased in comparison with the AT group (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Moderate exercise for 8 weeks increased the IFN-γ and decreased the IL-17 serum levels in the morphine-dependent rats. For this reason, this type of exercise can improve the function of the immune system during morphine withdrawal syndrome.

1. Background

Drug addiction is one of the most common problems of the modern world and related to the development of many physical diseases, including nervous, digestive, and respiratory ailments. Morphine is an opioid drug of which chronic use causes dependence and addiction over time. After a period of dependence, as a result of withdrawal effects, the body and central nervous system react to the lack of the substance through a set of symptoms that collectively are identified as withdrawal syndrome. Some of these symptoms include chills, myalgia, restlessness, rhinorrhea, perspiration, irritability, anxiety, joint pain, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (1). The existence of at least three of these signs confirms presence of withdrawal syndrome. The results of various studies suggest that during the period of drug abuse and addiction withdrawal syndrome, the immune system is weakened and its function is impaired (2).

Cytokines are one of the immune factors affected by withdrawal syndrome. As one of the most important products of the immune response, cytokines are small protein particles that are biologically very active and regulate the growth, function, and differentiation of cells, contributing to the guidance of immune responses and inflammation (3). Cytokines are secreted by many immune cells, including lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages and other non-immune cells (4). In addition, different types of adipose tissues, brain and contracting muscle masses can produce cytokines (5). Interferons are an important cytokine component. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, belonging to the interferon family. This cytokine is an activator of macrophages with anti-bacterial and anti-viral functions (6), of which the anti-inflammatory action has been proven in various studies. In addition to TCD4+ cells, IFN-γ is also produced by NK, Th1, and TCD8+ cells (7). IFN-γ and other cytokines secreted from Th1 are involved in the elimination of intracellular pathogens (2). In addition, interleukins are a group of cytokines that are various types of proteins functioning outside the immune system. A subset of TCD4+ cells are Th17 cells and innate immune cells such as lymphocytes Tγδ, that are the main producers of interleukin-17 (IL-17) (8). IL-17 is known as a pro-inflammatory cytokine that triggers the production of other pro-inflammatory factors (9). This cytokine affects endothelial cells, causing the migration of neutrophils into inflamed tissues (10).

In recent years, several studies have focused on the impact of physical activities and exercises on human health. Many of these studies have revealed the beneficial effects of sport and physical activities on physiological dysfunctions, fitness and quality of life in general (11). The quality of the physical exercises depends on the intensity, duration, and type of activity, which have different effects on the immune system. For instance, a large number of

studies have revealed that an intensive workout causes different negative outcomes such as susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections (12), the acute reduction of immunoglobulin (13), and decreased IFN-γ in peripheral blood (14). On the other hand, many other studies have indicated that moderate regular exercise can reduce the number of illness days (15), regulate the functions of Th1 and Th2 cells in viral clearance (16), increase the level of IFN-γ (17), reduce the level of IL-17 (18), and show anti-inflammatory effects (19).

According to the results of many studies by different researchers, decreased production of IL-17 plasma has a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect (20). Furthermore, IFN-γ suppresses Th17 cell differentiation (21). It has already been proven that moderate exercise effects the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17. However, the researchers of the present study pose the question of “whether moderate exercise can have beneficial effects on immune function during morphine withdrawal.”

2. Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the changes in the serum IFN-γ and IL-17 levels during morphine withdrawal syndrome and evaluating these effects induced by 8 weeks of moderate exercise on immune system function.

3. Materials and Methods

This experimental study was carried out on 24 male Wistar rats (8 weeks of age and weighing 220 ± 10 g). The rats were purchased from Razi Institute, Tehran, Iran. Food and water were available ad libitum. The rats were housed in transparent polycarbonate cages (3 rats in each cage). The animals were kept under a cycle of 12 hours light and 12 hours dark, a controlled temperature (22 - 25°C), and 50% - 70% relative humidity. All instructions were strictly considered in accordance with the ethical protocols of the national research council’s 1996 guide for the care and use of laboratory animals (22). The animals were then classified into four groups of six as follows: healthy control (HC), addicted control (AC), healthy trained (HT), and addicted trained (AT) groups.

In this study, the oral method was employed to make the samples morphine dependent using morphine sulfate powder purchased from Temad company (Tehran, Iran). The rats were made addicted to morphine at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg/mL per dose for 48 hours (a total of 6 days) mixed into the animals’ drinking water. Then, the animals were fed morphine at a concentration of 0.4 mg /mL for 15 days. To remove the bitter taste of the morphine, sucrose at a concentration of 3% was added to their drinking water. To prevent the decomposition of the morphine by light, the bottles containing the morphine and water mixture were covered with a thin aluminum foil. To ensure the dependence of the rats on morphine, on day 21, naloxone at a concentration of 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected into some of the rats’ bodies at random. Withdrawal symptoms in the animals were assessed after the injection. A mirror chamber was used for this purpose, and the animals that received naloxone for 30 minutes were placed inside the chamber to evaluate their behavior qualitatively.

The rats ran on a treadmill designed for animals (made by Arian Instruments, Iran) based on a program adapted from Calegari et al. (23). HC and AC groups were only allowed to move in their cages, while the HT and AT groups began running on the treadmill. The rats exercised once per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 8 weeks. During the first week, they ran for 10 minutes at a speed of 9 m/minutes, but the time and speed were gradually increased so that in the final week, they could reach 60 minutes at a speed of 30 m/minutes. The speed and duration of the exercise per week are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Schematic Representation of Moderate Exercise Protocol

Weeks	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Time, min	10	15	20	25	30	40	50	60
Speed, m/min	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30

After the confirmation of morphine dependence of all four groups of animals in this research, blood samples were taken and deposited in serum separator tubes at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, the blood samples were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 6°C at 3000 RPM. The obtained serum was immediately frozen at -20°C. The blood sampling process was undertaken at the end of the 8 weeks of the exercise protocol, and again 24 hours after the last exercise. enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure IFN-γ (Quantikine, R and D Systems, USA) and IL-17 (Cusabio Biotech Co. Ltd., Wuhan, China) cytokines. To do so, a fully automatic Elisa reader, Elisys UNO, manufactured by “Human” in Germany was employed.

The statistical software SPSS, version 16 was used to analyze the data. The normality of the data was tested and confirmed by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The data were analyzed statistically via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means were compared using Tukey’s test. The data were expressed as mean ± SD and the differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. This research was carried out at Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.

4. Results

The findings showed that compared to the HC group, the serum IFN-γ level significantly decreased in the AC group after 21 days of addiction and prior to the 8-week moderate exercise protocol (P < 0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease was observed in the level of serum IFN-γ in the AT group compared with the HT group (P < 0.001).

On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the serum IFN-γ levels between the HC and HT groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found between the serum IFN-γ levels in the AC and AT groups (P > 0.05). The results are illustrated in Table 2 and Figure 1.

Table 2.

Serum IFN-γ Levels “Before” and “After” the Exercise Protocol in the Groups (pg/mL)[a]

	Mean[b]	Min	Max
Before the exercise protocol
HC	220.83 ± 16.130	198	245
AC	112.33 ± 7.659	99	122
HT	220.50 ± 22.669	191	251
AT	112.17 ± 15.250	96	130
After the exercise protocol
HC	234.00 ± 12.884	214	253
AC	190.67 ± 8.477	176	200
HT	251.17 ± 13.045	234	267
AT	218.33 ± 5.164	210	224

aN = 6.

bValues are expressed as mean ± SD.

Figure 1.

Comparison of Serum IFN-γ and IL-17 Levels (mean ± SD) Among Groups Before the Exercise Protocol

* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001.

Furthermore, the results of this study showed that compared to the HC group, the serum IL-17 level significantly increased in the AC group prior to the beginning of the 8-week moderate exercise protocol (P < 0.001).

In addition, there was a significant increase in the serum IL-17 level in the AT group compared with the HT group (P < 0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the HC and HT groups. Likewise, there was not a significant difference between the AC and AT groups (P > 0.05). The obtained results are shown in Table 3 and Figure 1.

Table 3.

Serum IL-17 Levels “Before” and “After” the Exercise Protocol in the Groups (pg/mL)[a]

	Mean[b]	Min	Max
Before the exercise protocol
HC	6.83 ± 3.430	4	13
AC	210.67 ± 18.228	189	242
HT	6.50 ± 1.378	5	8
AT	205.83 ± 22.507	179	241
After the exercise protocol
HC	38.17 ± 7.68	27	46
AC	57.17 ± 7.83	48	69
HT	22.67 ± 4.46	17	28
AT	42.17 ± 7.41	34	50

aN = 6.

bValues are expressed as mean ± SD.

After 8 weeks of moderate exercise, there was a significant increase in the serum IFN-γ level of the HC group compared with the AC group (P < 0.001). Further, a significant increase in serum IFN-γ level in the HT group was observed compared with the AT group (P < 0.001). A significant increase was also observed in the serum IFN-γ level in the HT group compared with the HC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase in the serum IFN-γ level of the AT group was observed compared with the AC group (P < 0.001). The obtained results are presented in Table 4 and Figure 2.

Table 4.

The Results of Tukey’s Test for the Groups Before and After Moderate Exercise With Regard to the Serum IFN-γ Levels

	Mean Difference[a]	P Value
Groups Before Exercise
HC AC	108.500 ± 9.711[b]	0.000
HT AT	108.333 ± 9.711[b]	0.000
HC HT	0.333 ± 9.711	1.000
AC AT	0.167 ± 9.711	1.000
Groups After Exercise
HC AC	43.333 ± 6.670[b]	0.000
HT AT	32.833 ± 6.670[b]	0.000
HC HT	-17.167 ± 6.670[b]	0.045
AC AT	-27.667 ± 6.670[b]	0.000

aValues are expressed as mean ± SE.

bThe mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

Figure 2.

Comparison of Serum IFN-γ and IL-17 Levels (Mean ± SD) Among Groups at the End of Exercise

* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001, ≠ not significant.

After 8 weeks of moderate exercise, the serum IL-17 level in the AC group significantly increased compared with the HC group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant decrease in the IL-17 serum level in the HT group was observed compared with the AT group (P < 0.001).

When comparing the HC and HT groups, the serum IL-17 level of the HT group significantly decreased compared to the HC group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in serum IL-17 level of the AT group compared with the AC group (P < 0.01). The obtained results are presented in Table 5 and Figure 2.

Table 5.

The Results of Tukey’s Test for the Groups Before and After Moderate Exercise With Regard to the Serum IL-17 Levels

	Mean Difference[a]	P Value
Groups Before Exercise
HC AC	-203.833 ± 8.429[b]	0.000
HT AT	-199.333 ± 8.429[b]	0.000
HC HT	0.333 ± 8.429	1.000
AC AT	4.833 ± 8.429	0.939
Groups After Exercise
HC AC	-19.000 ± 4.033[b]	0.001
HT AT	-19.500 ±4.033[b]	0.001
HC HT	15.500 ± 4.033[b]	0.005
AC AT	15.000 ± 4.033[b]	0.007

aValues are expressed as mean ± SE.

bThe mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

5. Discussion

The findings of this study showed that during the early stage of morphine withdrawal syndrome before the beginning of the exercise protocol, the serum IFN-γ levels declined in the AC and AT groups in comparison with the HC and HT groups. Furthermore, the serum IL-17 levels in the AC and AT groups increased compared to the HC and HT groups. On the other hand, in this phase there was no significant change in the weight of the animals in any of the four study groups. After 8 weeks of moderate exercise, changes in the serum IFN-γ levels in the research groups showed that the highest serum levels of the cytokine belonged to HT, HC, AT, and AC, respectively. Also, the lowest levels of serum IL-17 in the study groups belonged to HT, AT, HC, and AC, respectively. In addition, regarding the weight changes, the HC, AC, HT, and AT groups gained the most to least weight, respectively.Experimental studies on withdrawal syndrome in rodents have reported an increase in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, which, in turn, causes the release of noradrenaline (NE) from sympathetic nerve terminals and the adrenal medulla. West et al. reported a decrease in the level of serum IFN-γ during morphine withdrawal in rats, a finding which was consistent with the hypothesis that indirectly increased sympathetic nervous system activity may cause suppression of the immune system (24). In the present study, a significant decrease was also observed in the serum IFN-γ levels in the AC and AT groups prior to the start of the exercise protocol.

The decrease in cytokines may be due to the intense activity of the SNS, followed by increased secretion of the NE, which can be a factor for suppressing the immune system and reducing the production of IFN-γ. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may be one reason for the immune system suppression. During the withdrawal period in human samples, an increase in the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, such as adrenocorticotropic (ACTH), and β-endorphin, and the adrenocortical glucocorticoid, such as cortisol, was also observed.

Experiments on animals also revealed high activity in the HPA axis. This increased activity observed during the withdrawal course quite possibly led to an increase in NE and suppression of the immune system. It can be explained that high activity of the SNS and HPA axis caused by drug withdrawal is involved in immune suppression (24).

In line with the findings of the present study, Kelschenbach et al. conducted a study on rats and concluded that the production of IFN-γ was suppressed 24 hours after a morphine withdrawal period (25). Similarly, Rahim et al. have also noted similar results in their study (26). On the other hand, West et al. have reported the suppression of IFN-γ 12 hours after morphine withdrawal, while cytokine levels returned to normal only after 24 hours (24). The contradiction between the findings of West et al. and those in the present study may be due to the fact that they performed their study on Lewis Rats, while the animal samples used in the present research were Wistar Rats (24). On the other hand, Zhao et al. in a number of articles, noted that after moderate intensity exercise, the serum IFN-γ level significantly increased (16). In another study, Shimizu et al. came to a similar conclusion (17). Many previous findings are in line with the findings of this study, but several studies have reached different conclusions confirming that the serum IFN-γ level decreases after exercise. For example, Ranjbar et al. reported that after 30 minutes of 50% vo2max intensive cycling and 2 hours after the exercise, the IFN-γ level increased significantly, whereas there was no significant increase at higher values (27). After 8 weeks on a treadmill with a level of 55% - 70% VO2max intensity, Zar et al. noted a decrease in the IFN-γ level within 24 – 48 hours after the last session, but the registered decrease was not significant (28). In addition, White et al. reviewed a series of studies conducted on patients and reported a decrease in the IFN-γ level after aerobic exercises (29). These differences could be due to the type, intensity, and duration of exercise protocols, some genetic and racial differences, and/or differences among samples, including both human and animal samples. Different physical, psychological, and digestive conditions of the samples could also be effective factors.

There are many reports confirming that moderate exercise drives the immune system toward Th1-type cytokine responses, such as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-12, while high-intensity exercise increases the level of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 (30). Hence, moderate-intensity exercise can explain the increase in the serum IFN-γ level in the present study.

Strong Th1 responses such as IFN-γ tend to inhibit Th17 development (31); however, immune suppression induced by withdrawal reduces the IFN-γ level. This reduction leads to the possibility of fungal and bacterial activity in dendritic cells and triggers the increased production of cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-23. TGF-β, produced by many cells of the immune system in the presence of cytokines, such as IL-6 or IL-1, contributes to the development of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells. In collaboration with IL-6 and IL-1, TGF-β induces the production of the RORγt factor transcription. IL-6 also activates the STAT3 transcription factor that, along with RORγt, stimulates the differentiation of naive TCD4+ cells into the Th17 sub-category. Furthermore, IL-23 plays an important role in the proliferation and survival of Th17 cells (7). As a result of this cellular process, IL-17 originates from Th17 cells.

The increase in the IL-17 level during withdrawal syndrome could be caused by the significant increase in the risk of infection (32). The immune response of IL-17 involves the employment of neutrophils and protection against extracellular bacterial and fungal infections (21).

Since the production of cytokines is modulated by a range of physiological stimuli, such as sports and exercise (33), serum IL-17 level reduction might be considered a result of the impact of physical activities. The positive effect of moderate exercise on the immune system has been confirmed by many researchers. Lowder et al. found that moderate exercise reduces the production of Th2 and Th17 cytokines in both healthy and asthmatic rats (34). Golzari et al. and Sugama et al. have also stated that seemingly moderate exercise can decrease the serum IL-17 level (18, 20). However, in another study, Duzova et al. concluded that in the group with moderate-intensity exercise compared with the control group, the IL-17 level increased, although this increase was not significant (35).

Tγδ cells that are considered IL-17-producing T-cells have been detected in adipose tissues (36). Increasing evidence suggests that IL-17 is a potent mediator of inflammatory responses in various tissues (37). Sumarac-Dumanovic et al. reported that both IL-17 and IL-23 levels were higher in the blood samples taken from obese people compared to those from lean participants (38). In a study on rats, Winer et al. also observed an increase in Th17 cell development and IL-17 production in rats that had become obese through a high-energy diet (39). There is a conflict between the cytokine production in Th1 and Th17 subsets (31). One reason for the decrease in the IL-17 level after moderate exercise can be the positive impact of this kind of exercise on increasing the serum IFN-γ level and the inhibitory effect of cytokines on the development of Th17. Regarding the identification of IL-17-producing cells in adipose tissues such as Tγδ cells, the reduction of the tissues after moderate exercise can decrease the production of this inflammatory cytokine.

A significant increase in the amount of IFN-γ and a significant decrease in the serum IL-17 levels in the HT and AT groups compared to pre-workout levels indicate that the 8-week moderate exercise protocol used in this study could significantly affect the amount of these cytokines produced. However, regarding the IFN-γ’s response to exercise, different results have been reported. The lack of consensus on the reported findings can be related to various factors including the variety of fitness tests, different levels of intensity and duration of activities, types of human or animal samples, and various methods and measurement tools.

It is known that the immune system demonstrates different responses to different exercises and narcotics. The results of the current research reveal that physical activity with moderate intensity, not only in healthy individuals, but also in those during the course of withdrawal, can play a significant role in increasing the IFN-γ level as an inflammation-reducing cytokine. This type of exercise’s effect of reducing the IL-17 level can also lead to a reduction of the negative effects of inflammation stimulated by this cytokine.