Voluntary exercise ameliorates the progression of atherosclerotic lesion formation via anti-inflammatory effects in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
A sedentary lifestyle with insufficient exercise is associated with cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that endurance exercise benefits atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders; however, the mechanisms by which physical activity, such as voluntary exercise (Ex), produces these effects are not fully understood.


RESULTS
Eight-week-old male apolipoprotein (ApoE)-deficient mice were fed a standard diet (STD) or high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. The HFD+Ex group mice performed Ex on a running wheel for 10 weeks. No significant differences in lipid profiles were observed between the HFD and HFD+Ex groups. Although changes in body and brown adipose tissue weights were comparable between the HFD and HFD+Ex groups, white adipose tissue weight was significantly lower in the HFD+Ex group than in the HFD group. The areas of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic sinus and thoracoabdominal aorta were significantly reduced in the HFD+Ex group than in the HFD group (p<0.001). There was a strong negative correlation between atherosclerotic areas and the mean running distance per day in the HFD+Ex group (r=-0.90, p=0.01). Endothelial function was significantly preserved in the HFD+Ex group (p<0.05). Serum interleukin-6 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 levels were significantly lower and those of adiponectin were significantly higher in the HFD+Ex group than in the HFD group (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that Ex ameliorates the progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic lesion formation through anti-inflammatory effects, despite continued consumption of HFD.
Fukao
Kosuke
K
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Shimada
Kazunori
K
Naito
Hisashi
H
Sumiyoshi
Katsuhiko
K
Inoue
Nao
N
Iesaki
Takafumi
T
Kume
Atsumi
A
Kiyanagi
Takashi
T
Hiki
Makoto
M
Hirose
Kuniaki
K
Matsumori
Rie
R
Ohsaka
Hiromichi
H
Takahashi
Yasue
Y
Toyoda
Saori
S
Itoh
Seigo
S
Miyazaki
Tetsuro
T
Tada
Norihiro
N
Daida
Hiroyuki
H
D052436:Adipose Tissue, White; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016207:Cytokines; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D016207:Cytokines; D004041:Dietary Fats