Anti-inflammatory effects of aerobic exercise in mice exposed to air pollution.
OBJECTIVE
Exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) results in lung inflammation. Regular aerobic exercise improves the inflammatory status in different pulmonary diseases. However, the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on the pulmonary response to DEP have not been investigated. The present study evaluated the effect of aerobic conditioning on the pulmonary inflammatory and oxidative responses of mice exposed to DEP.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were subjected to aerobic exercise five times per week for 5 wk, concomitantly with exposure to DEP (3 mg·mL(-1); 10 μL per mouse). The levels of exhaled nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, cellularity, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the density of neutrophils and the volume proportion of collagen fibers were measured in the lung parenchyma. The cellular density of leukocytes expressing IL-1β, keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), and TNF-α in lung parenchyma was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The levels of IL-1β, KC, and TNF-α were also evaluated in the serum.


RESULTS
Aerobic exercise inhibited the DEP-induced increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.05); exhaled nitric oxide (P < 0.01); total (P < 0.01) and differential cells (P < 0.01); IL-6 and TNF-α levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05); the level of neutrophils (P < 0.001); collagen density in the lung parenchyma (P < 0.05); the levels of IL-6, KC, and TNF-α in plasma (P < 0.05); and the expression of IL-1β, KC, and TNF-α by leukocytes in the lung parenchyma (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that long-term aerobic exercise presents protective effects in a mouse model of DEP-induced lung inflammation. Our results indicate a need for human studies that evaluate the pulmonary responses to aerobic exercise chronically performed in polluted areas.
Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution (LIM 05), Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. rodrelena@yahoo.com.br
Rodolfo de Paula
RP
Vieira
Alessandra Choqueta
AC
Toledo
Lucas Bogaz
LB
Silva
Francine Maria
FM
Almeida
Nilsa Regina
NR
Damaceno-Rodrigues
Elia Garcia
EG
Caldini
Angela Batista Gomes
AB
Santos
Dolores Helena
DH
Rivero
Deborah Camargo
DC
Hizume
Fernanda Degobbi Tenório Quirino Santos
FD
Lopes
Clarice Rosa
CR
Olivo
Hugo Caire
HC
Castro-Faria-Neto
Milton Arruda
MA
Martins
Paulo Hilário Nascimento
PH
Saldiva
Marisa
M
Dolhnikoff
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000276:immunology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001335:Vehicle Emissions