Abstract
PURPOSE: Determine whether T-cell mitochondria differ in women and men categorized by cardiorespiratory fitness and percent body fat. METHODS: 9 women (age: (mean ± standard deviation) 29.2 ± 6.8 years) and 17 men (age: 28.0 ± 6.3 years) visited our laboratory for a body fat scan, donate blood sample and complete a VO2max test. For the VO2max test, participants were fitted with a heart rate monitor and a mask for breath analysis with a metabolic cart. Participants cycled on bicycle ergometer with the resistance increased 20 watts/minute until volitional exhaustion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stained with Mitotracker Green FM to measure mitochondrial mass, Mitotracker DeepRed to measure mitochondrial polarization, and with a fluorescent antibody against CD3 to identify T-cells. Mitochondria function was identified based on Mitotracker staining and expressed as a ratio: higher ratio values indicate more functional mitochondria within T cells. Data collected from women and men were analyzed separately by independent T-tests to assess differences in T-cell mitochondrial mass and function between high and low cardiorespiratory fitness and between high and low percent body fat. RESULTS: Compared to women with lower VO2max values (range: 24 – 29 ml/min/kg) women with higher VO2max values (range 30 – 39 ml/min/kg) trended towards a greater ratio of functional mitochondria in T-cells (104.7 ± 44.1 vs 47.1 ± 17.8; t=-2.46, p=.073). They did not differ in T-cell mitochondrial mass (t= -0.21, p=.837). Men with higher VO2max (range: 39 – 57 ml/min/kg) compared to men with lower VO2max (range: 25 – 36 ml/min/kg) did not differ in T cell mitochondrial functional ratio (t=-0.47, p=.64) or mass (t=0.36, p= .72). Women grouped by % body fat (low: range: 22 – 28; vs high: range: 29 – 40) did not differ in T cell mitochondrial functional ratio (t=0.23, p=.41) or mass (t=0.74, p= .48). Compared to men with higher % body fat (range: 23 – 30), men with lower % body fat (range: 12 – 20) trended towards having a greater ratio of functional mitochondria in T-cells (238.4 ± 78.3 vs 78.3 ± 46.9; t=1.81, p=.095). They did not differ in T-cell mitochondrial mass (t= -0.01, p=.99). CONCLUSION: T-cell mitochondrial function and mass did not differ as intended. There was a trend towards an increased ratio of functional mitochondria in women with higher VO2max, and a trend towards an increased ratio of functional mitochondria in men with lower % body fat. Given our small sample size, we likely lacked statistical power to detect a difference. Data collection is continuing.
Recommended Citation
Fuentes, Nathan; LaVoy, Emily; Hodgman, Charlie; Hunt, Rebeka; Crane, Justin; and Herskowitz, Micheal
(2025)
"Mitochondrial Function in T-Cells: The Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Body Fat in Men and Women,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 196.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/196
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
