Exercise-induced up-regulation of MMP-1 and IL-8 genes in endurance horses.
BACKGROUND
The stress response is a critical factor in the training of equine athletes; it is important for performance and for protection of the animal against physio-pathological disorders.In this study, the molecular mechanisms involved in the response to acute and strenuous exercise were investigated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).


RESULTS
Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect modifications in transcription levels of the genes for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), which were derived from previous genome-wide expression analysis. Significant up-regulation of these two genes was found in 10 horses that had completed a race of 90-120 km in a time-course experimental design.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that MMP-1 and IL-8 are both involved in the exercise-induced stress response, and this represents a starting point from which to understand the adaptive responses to this phenomenon.
Cappelli
Katia
K
Pathology, Diagnostic and Veterinary Clinic Department, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy. katia.cappelli@unipg.it
Felicetti
Michela
M
Capomaccio
Stefano
S
Pieramati
Camillo
C
Silvestrelli
Maurizio
M
Verini-Supplizi
Andrea
A
D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000502:physiology*; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
D016209:Interleukin-8; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1