ADVERSE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON IMMUNE COMPLEX-MEDIATED GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

The effect of strenuous daily exercise on immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN), was assessed in rabbits randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups; group I (n = 12); treadmill exercise for 28 days plus twice weekly i.v. injections of saline, group II (n = 10); treadmill exercise for 28 days plus twice weekly i.v. bovine serum albumin (BSA) injection and group III (n = 9); i.v. doses of BSA, as in group II, but no exercise. Blood and urine samples were collected from each animal periodically during the 28 day experimental period. On the 29th day of the study all animals were sacrificed and tissue taken for renal histopathologic studies. In group II (exercise + GN) abnormal albuminuria was more frequent (P < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels rose significantly with time (P < 0.02) and hematuria (blood in renal tubules) was more common (P < 0.05), compared to group III (GN only). The differences between groups II and III could not be explained by the effect of exercise alone since group I (exercise only) developed no abnormal abluminuria, BUN levels or hematuria during the course of the study. Strenuous exercise superimposed on active immune complex-mediated GN results in worsening of the abnormal glomerular function.