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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07188389

Immunometabolism of Exercise

This study aims to examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness on cellular metabolism of CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) found in the peripheral blood of humans. In addition, the study will investigate whether the effects of exercise differ based on exercise intensity, as well as whether the effects of exercise and fitness differ between subpopulations of CD8+ T cells and Tregs. Finally, the study aims to examine whether exercise- and fitness-induced changes in cell metabolism relate to changes in cell function.

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Key information

Conditions

No Condition, Assessment of Healthy Volunteers

Age range

20 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Houston

Houston, Texas, 77204, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women, aged 20-40 years
  • individuals presenting with average (40th-60th percentile) cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., VO2max/VO2peak) for their age and sex will be included in acute exercise experiments; individuals with VO2max/VO2peak value >20ml/kg/min will be included in cardiorespiratory fitness experiments
  • individuals categorized as 'low risk' for a cardiovascular event/heart disease when screened by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • adults under the age of 20 and over the age of 40
  • Individuals with contraindications to exercise testing will be excluded
  • Individuals with musculoskeletal impairments preventing them from exercising on a cycle ergometer
  • Individuals with disease history known to impact the immune system and/or systemic metabolism will be excluded, including autoimmune diseases, HIV, Hepatitis, diabetes, cancer (completed treatment within <6 months prior), hyper- or hypothyroidism
  • Pregnancy
  • Individuals using medications known to impact the cardiopulmonary and/or immune response to exercise with be excluded, including those using medication to control blood pressure (e.g., beta-blockers), daily steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (except daily aspirin), prescription allergy medication, ADHD medication (Ritalin or Adderall), thyroid medication (e.g., Levothyroxine), and chemotherapy (including treatments within the last 6 months).
  • Individuals habitually using tobacco products within the last 6 months or with excessive alcohol intake (>10 drinks/week)

Treatment and study plan

Acute exercise-moderate intensity

Behavioral

30 minutes of cycling exercise at moderate (90% of first ventilatory threshold)

Acute effects-heavy intensity

Behavioral

Participants will cycle 30 minutes at heavy (110% of first ventilatory threshold) intensity

Primary outcomes

  1. Metabolic Function

    Time frame: At rest, immediately after, and two hours after exercise

    Cellular metabolic activity and poise of T cells as measured by flow cytometry (SCENITH)

  2. Immune Cell function

    Time frame: At rest, immediately after, and two hours after exercise

    Stimulated IFN-gamma, perforin and IL-10 production, as measured by flow cytometry

  3. Metabolic Regulation

    Time frame: At rest, immediately after, and two hours after exercise

    Expression of genes involved in cellular energy metabolism, as assessed by RT-PCR

  4. Mitochondrial Regulation

    Time frame: At rest, immediately after, and two hours after exercise

    Mitochondrial mass and membrane potential, as assessed by flow cytometry

Secondary outcomes

  1. Peripheral immune cell composition

    Time frame: At rest, immediately after, and two hours after exercise

    Number (concentration) of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood, as measured by hematology analyzer and flow cytometer

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Houston

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Immunometabolism of Exercise and Fitness

Acronym: IMEX

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 23, 2025
Registry last updated
May 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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