The Effect of Nanoselenium Consumption during High Intensity Interval Training on IL-4 and IFN-Γ Gene Expression in Thymus Organ of Dexamethasone-Induced Immunosuppressive Rats

The thymus is a specialized lymphatic organ in the immune system and plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the immune system. Observed 24 and 48 hours after dexamethasone, thymocytes are reduced by 55% and 84%, respectively, which can be associated with a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL4 and IFN-γ. The aim of present study was to evaluate the The effect of nanoselenium consumption during high intensity interval training on IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expression in thymus organ of dexamethasone-induced immunosuppressive rats. 

The study samples in the present study consisted of 40 male Wistar rats that were randomly divided into 5 groups: healthy control group (CON), immunosuppression group (DEX), immunosuppression + exercise group (DEX + TRA), immunosuppression group + nanosillenium (DEX + SEL), immunosuppression group + nanoselnium + training (DEX + TRA + SEL) were divided. Suppression of the immune system of the samples was performed by injecting of 0.4 mg / kg per day dexamethasone for three days. The training program included 4 weeks of intense intermittent training (HIIT) in the DEX + TRA and DEX + TRA + SEL groups, and supplementation with 100 mg / kg selenium nanoparticles in the DEX + SEL and DEX + TRA + SEL groups. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA in SPSS 26 software at significance level of α <0.05. 

The data showed that IFN-γ gene expression decreased in all groups compared to the control group (p = 0.0001). The difference between DEX + SEL and DEX + SEL + TRA groups was less than other groups. Also, IL4 gene expression in thymus tissue was significantly reduced in DEX and DEX + TRA groups compared to healthy controls (p = 0.048 and p = 0.013, respectively). 

In the present study, it was found that intense exercise activity in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may inhibit immune reactions and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the thymus tissue of rats whose immune system was suppressed by DEX. Therefore, exercise for strengthening the immune system in these people should be done with more caution.