Objective To investigate the effect and clinical significance of regular exercise on the peripheral T helper cells (Th1), Th2 and Th17 in the maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Methods Sixty maintenance hemodialysis patients were selected and divided into the experimental (n=30) and control groups (n=30). Patients in the experimental group were prescribed with a home-based exercise program for a total duration of 6 months. Patients in the conrtol group were not given with a prescription for exercise program. Peripheral blood samples were taken upon and 6 months after the study enrollment. The mononuclear cells were separated from the peripheral blood. The proportion of Th1 (CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺), Th2 (CD4⁺IL-4⁺) and Th17 (CD4⁺IL-17⁺) cells was quantitatively detected by using flow cytometry. During 6-month observation period, the exercise frequency with a rating of perceived exertion≥12 and the infection status were recorded. The percentage of Th1, Th2 and Th17 upon and 6 months after the enrollment were statistically compared within each group.

Results All patients in two groups completed the 6-month follow-up and those in the experimental group finished the 6-month exercise program. During the 6-month observation period, the exercise frequency with a rating of perceived exertion≥12 in the experimental group was (13.8±0.5) times/month, significantly lower than (8.2±0.3) times/month in the control group (P < 0.01). In the experimental group, the infection status was (0.90±0.16) times/month, significantly less than (1.30±0.17) times/month in control group(t=9.385, P < 0.001). In the experimental group, the proportion of Th1 cells upon the enrollment was (25.97±8.55)%, considerably decreased to (19.83±7.60)% at 6 months after the enrollment (P < 0.05) and the percentage of Th17 cells was declined from (4.09±2.65)% to (2.25±1.23)% (P < 0.05), whereas the proportion of Th2 cells did not significantly differ upon and 6 months after the enrollment (P > 0.05). In the control group, the proportion of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells did not significantly differ between two time points (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion Regular exercise can lower the levels of Th1 and Th17 cells, reduce the risk of infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients, prompting that regular exercise probably exerts an immunomodulatory effect upon the immune system.