Intermittent and graded exercise effects on NK cell degranulation markers LAMP ‐1/ LAMP ‐2 and CD 8 + CD 38 + in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

There is substantial evidence of immune system dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) but little is understood of exercise training effects on lymphocyte function in this illness. This study investigated whether graded and intermittent exercise improved CD 8 + lymphocyte activation and natural killer cell degranulation markers compared to no exercise. Twenty‐four chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) patients (50.2 ± 10 year) were randomized to graded exercise ( GE ), intermittent exercise ( IE ) or usual care ( UC ) groups; a control group ( CTL ) of 18 matched sedentary non‐ CFS / ME participants were included for immunological variable comparisons. Main outcome measures were pre‐ and postintervention expression of CD 3 + CD 8 + CD 38 + and CD 3 − CD 16 + 56 + CD 107a + ( LAMP ‐1) CD 107b + ( LAMP ‐2) and aerobic exercise capacity. The postintervention percentage of NK cells expressing LAMP ‐1 and ‐2 was significantly higher in IE compared to UC , and higher in GE compared to UC and CTL . LAMP ‐1 and LAMP ‐2 expression (absolute numbers and percent positive) increased significantly pre‐to‐postintervention for both GE and IE . Preintervention, the absolute number of CD 8 + CD 38 + cells was significantly lower in CTL compared to UC and IE . There were no significant pre‐ to postintervention changes in CD 8 + CD 38 + expression for any group. Aerobic exercise capacity was significantly improved by GE and IE . Twelve weeks of GE and IE increased the expression of NK cell activation and degranulation markers, suggesting enhanced immunosurveillance. Low‐intensity exercise may also reduce CD 8 + CD 38 + expression, a marker of inflammation. Both GE and IE improved exercise capacity without worsening CFS / ME symptoms, and more robust trials of these exercise modalities are warranted.