Effect of repeated exercise stress on caspase 3, Bcl-2, HSP 70 and CuZn-SOD protein expression in mouse intestinal lymphocytes

The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of apoptosis (caspase 3, Bcl-2) and survival (HSP 70, antioxidant CuZn-SOD) proteins in intestinal lymphocytes (IL) of mice after repeated exercise stress. Plasma corticosterone concentration was greater than twofold higher immediately after exercise compared with the non-exercised condition. IL numbers decreased 24 h after cessation of exercise (p < 0.05); this was associated with increased caspase 3 (p < 0.05), HSP 70 (p < 0.001) and CuZn-SOD (p < 0.05) expression in IL immediately after exercise relative to IL from non-exercised mice. Expression of these proteins returned to control levels 24 h after the cessation of exercise stress.