Imunossenescência: o exercício físico pode contra-atacar?

Abstract

Immunosenescence is defined as a state of dysregulated immune function in the elderly, which contributes to increased susceptibility to infections, cancer, autoimmunity, and reduced vaccine response. Immunosenescence can affect different cell types, organs and tissues, such as bone marrow, thymus, mature lymphocytes present in peripheral blood and secondary lymphoid organs. The innate immune system consists mainly of monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs), while the adaptive system is represented by B and T lymphocytes. Generally, the aging process affects both branches of the immune system. In humans, immune function appears to be generally altered in individuals after 60 years of age. Physical exercise is a powerful stimulus for the immune system, with proven scientific basis for antibody action to respond to new improved antigens after a physical exercise session moments after an immunization. In summary, although several studies have shown important changes in the immune response in elderly patients, some others suggest that these changes indicate only immunosenescence and are not accompanied by loss of function. It seems to us that the innate immune response is less sensitive than the acquired immune response to the effects of aging. The purpose of this systematic literary review, and to contextualize recent studies, with the purpose of verifying how much training intensity is more feasible to produce anti-inflammatory substances. To reach the conclusion of the study, we selected studies related to the theme, where the focus was to verify the best way to help the elderly to have a quality of life, using physical exercise as the protagonist.