Exercise regulation of intestinal tight junction proteins

Br J Sports Med. 2014 Jun;48(12):980-6. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091585. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhoea, cramping, vomiting, nausea and gastric pain are common among athletes during training and competition. The mechanisms that cause these symptoms are not fully understood. The stress of heat and oxidative damage during exercise causes disruption to intestinal epithelial cell tight junction proteins resulting in increased permeability to luminal endotoxins. The endotoxin moves into the blood stream leading to a systemic immune response. Tight junction integrity is altered by the phosphoylation state of the proteins occludin and claudins, and may be regulated by the type of exercise performed. Prolonged exercise and high-intensity exercise lead to an increase in key phosphorylation enzymes that ultimately cause tight junction dysfunction, but the mechanisms are different. The purpose of this review is to (1) explain the function and physiology of tight junction regulation, (2) discuss the effects of prolonged and high-intensity exercise on tight junction permeability leading to gastrointestinal distress and (3) review agents that may increase or decrease tight junction integrity during exercise.

Keywords: Biochemistry; Nutrition; Physiology; Stress response to exercise and adaptations of stress proteins to exercise training.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Food
  • Heat Stress Disorders / physiopathology
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / physiology
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology
  • Intestines / blood supply
  • Intestines / physiology*
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Permeability
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Tight Junction Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Tight Junction Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Tight Junction Proteins