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NATURAL KILLER CELLS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH NORMAL/MODERATE VS MODERATE/SEVERE ANXIEITY

Abstract

Anxiety is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which is a condition where the immune system becomes unchecked and is linked to the development and progression of many of the costly diseases prevalent in our society today. Anxiety is also linked to the disruption of the autonomic balance in body, which is measured using heart rate variability (HRV). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore heart rate variability, and natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and function in individuals with lower versus higher anxiety. METHODS: Fourteen healthy college aged participants (M = 7 and F = 7) were recruited and separated into 2 groups based on their responses to a depression, anxiety, and stress questionnaire (DASS-21). Individuals were placed into either a normal/mild anxiety group (NMS; n=6) or a moderate to severe group (MSS, n=8). Then, they all completed HRV measures and had blood taken for analysis by flow cytometer to determine NK phenotype and function. Comparisons between groups were completed with a T-test on RStudio with p < 0.05 set as significance. RESULTS: Overall, participants averaged 26.5 years old, a height of 175.0 cm ± 14.0 , 60.7 ± 13.4 kg of lean body mass, and 21.0 ± 12.9% of body fat and there were no significant differences between groups. Measures of HRV and NK cell function were not different between groups. However, numbers of CD56bright expressing NK cells were 64% higher in MSS when compared to NMS (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Individuals with moderate to severe anxiety have increased the numbers of cytokine producing NK cells which may help to combat stress-related immune impairment. All authors state they have no conflicts of interest. ACUTE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE INTENSITY ON FATIGUE DURING A CANCER-REHABILITATION PROGRAM E. Gomes, R. Marker3, C. Bell1, S. Aichele1, J. Eagan2, H.J. Leach FACSM1 1Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; 2The Wellness Place- UC Health Hospital, University of Colorado Health, Fort Collins, CO; 3University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO PURPOSE: Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is a common and distressing side effect of cancer treatment(s). Outpatient cancer rehabilitation programs that include weekly exercise sessions can reduce CRF. However, the immediate or “acute” effect of exercise sessions on CRF is unclear. This study compared CRF from immediately before and after exercise sessions completed as part of an outpatient cancer rehabilitation program and explored the impact of self-selected exercise intensity on change in CRF. METHODS: Observational, longitudinal cohort study of participants enrolled in a 12-week outpatient cancer rehabilitation program. CRF was assessed using a visual analog scale (0=no fatigue–10=worst fatigue) before and immediately after one exercise session every week. Exercise intensity was self-selected and tracked using heart rate monitors and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Each session was classified as light (heart rate reserve (HRR 30-39% and RPE 9-11) or moderate/vigorous (HRR 40-89% and RPE 12-20). A mixed-effects model accounting for within (time) and between (exercise intensity) effects was used to examine change in CRF from pre-to-post exercise session. RESULTS: Participants (N=18) were M= 64 years old, 77% female, and diagnosed with breast (n=4) lymphoma (n=2), lung (n=2) or other (n=10) cancer. Measures of pre/post CRF were completed in 156 exercise sessions, 53% (n=83) were classified light and 47% (n=73) as moderate/vigorous intensity. Average pre-exercise CRF, HRR and RPE for each intensity category was light (3, 30% and 11) and moderate/vigorous (2.8, 47% and 12). Average change in CRF from pre- to post-exercise was MΔ= 0.102.2 overall, MΔ= -0.15.22 for light intensity, and MΔ= .29.24 for moderate/vigorous intensity sessions. There was no effect of time (β = 0.037, p = 0.82), or intensity (β = 0.48, p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: There was no change in CRF from immediately before to after exercise sessions, and no effect of self-selected exercise intensity. Further research should explore potential study limitations, including sensitivity of CRF measurement tool, and the potential ceiling effects due to the low pre-exercise CRF. Funding: University of Colorado Cancer Center (P30CA046934)

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