High plasma soluble levels of the immune checkpoint HLA-G molecule among bodybuilders.

Abstract

IntroductionStudies report that intense physical activity influences the down-regulation of immune function in athletes as well as the interaction between adipose tissue and the immune system.AimThis study aimed to compare the plasma soluble levels of the immune checkpoint HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule with the fat mass and muscle mass index among 77 bodybuilders and 64 controls.ResultsThe comparisons of the percentage of body fat (%BF) revealed that the groups of male and female bodybuilders showed a statistically significant reduction in the percentage of body fat when compared to their control group, (P ConclusionOur results showed that in bodybuilders with less body fat, the systemic levels of soluble HLA-G, an immunological molecule with recognized immunosuppressive function, are significantly higher and suggest that this immune mechanism may corroborate the immunosuppressive state in athletes undergoing intense and prolonged physical training.