High-intensity interval training is more effective than continuous training to reduce inflammation markers in female rats with cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Effects of moderate intensity training and lithium on spatial learning and memory in a rat model: The role of SIRT3 and PGC1-α expression levels and brain-derived neurotropic factor

In this study we investigated the potential synergistic effects of moderate interval training (MIT) and lithium on spatial learning and memory. Forty-two male Wistar males were classified into six groups including I: Control, II: 10 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li10), III: MIT, IV: Li10 + MIT, V: 40 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li40), and VI: Li40 + MIT. Then, the rats underwent Morris Water Maze (MWM) test to assess their spatial memory and learning ability. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) density was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of PGC1 and SIRT3 were assessed via qRT-PCR. The results show that MIT improves both memory and spatial learning; but lithium alone, does not cause this. Additionally, those exposed to a combination of exercise and lithium also had improved spatial learning and memory. Finally, we observed a positive role of BDNF protein, and PGC1 gene on the effects of exercise and lithium.

Renoprotective mechanisms of exercise training against acute and chronic renal diseases - A perspective based on experimental studies

Regular exercise training can lead to several health benefits, reduce mortality risk, and increase life expectancy. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle is a known risk factor for chronic diseases and increased mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) represent a significant global health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide. The progression from AKI to CKD is well-recognized in the literature, and exercise training has emerged as a potential renoprotective strategy. Thus, this article aims to review the main molecular mechanisms underlying the renoprotective actions of exercise training in the context of AKI and CKD, focusing on its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and autophagy regulatory effects. For that, bibliographical research was carried out in Medline/PubMed and Scielo databases. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in renal diseases are not fully understood, experimental studies demonstrate that oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and dysregulation of fibrotic and autophagic processes play central roles in the development of tissue damage. Increasing evidence has suggested that exercise can beneficially modulate these mechanisms, potentially becoming a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for kidney health protection and promotion. Thus, the evidence base discussed in this review suggests that an adequate training program emerges as a valuable tool for preserving renal function in experimental animals, mainly through the production of antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide (NO), irisin, IL-10, and IL-11. Future research can continue to explore these mechanisms to develop specific guidelines for the prescription of exercise training in different populations of patients with kidney diseases.

Changes in the hippocampal level of tau but not beta-amyloid may mediate anxiety-like behavior improvement ensuing from exercise in diabetic female rats

BACKGROUND

In the present study, we investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive behaviors in female rats with a high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Twenty-four female rats were divided into four groups randomly (n = 6): control (C), control + exercise (Co + EX), diabetes mellitus (type 2) (T2D), and diabetes mellitus + exercise (T2D + EX). Diabetes was induced by a two-month high-fat diet and a single dose of STZ (35 mg/kg) in the T2D and T2D + EX groups. The Co + EX and T2D + EX groups performed HIIT for eight weeks (five sessions per week, running on a treadmill at 80-100% of VMax, 4-10 intervals). Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were used for assessing anxiety-like behaviors, and passive avoidance test (PAT) and Morris water maze (MWM) were applied for evaluating learning and memory. The hippocampal levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and Tau were also assessed using Western blot.

RESULTS

An increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG), hippocampal level of Tau, and a decrease in the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) as an index of anxiety-like behavior were seen in the female diabetic rats which could be reversed by HIIT. In addition, T2D led to a significant decrease in rearing and grooming in the OFT. No significant difference among groups was seen for the latency time in the PAT and learning and memory in the MWM.

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT could improve anxiety-like behavior at least in part through changes in hippocampal levels of Tau.

An integrated view of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity: characteristics, common molecular mechanisms, and current clinical management

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy drug widely prescribed to treat various neoplasms. Although fundamental for the therapeutic action of the drug, its cytotoxic mechanisms trigger adverse effects in several tissues, such as the kidney, liver, and heart, which limit its clinical use. In this sense, studies point to an essential role of damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of tissue injuries. Due to the limitation of effective preventive and therapeutic measures against CP-induced toxicity, new strategies with potential cytoprotective effects have been studied. Therefore, this article is timely in reviewing the characteristics and main molecular mechanisms common to renal, hepatic, and cardiac toxicity previously described, in addition to addressing the main validated strategies for the current management of these adverse events in clinical practice. We also handle the main promising antioxidant substances recently presented in the literature to encourage the development of new research that consolidates their potential preventive and therapeutic effects against CP-induced cytotoxicity.

The effect of pentoxifylline and different types of exercise training on coagulation factors in a rat endometriosis model

Objectives

This study evaluated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and pentoxifylline (PTX) on coagulation factors, including the amount and percentage of lymphocytes, PLC, PLR, aPTT, PT, PT.I.N. R in a model of rats with endometriosis.

Methods

Endometriosis was surgically induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats with confirmed endometrial implants were divided into control, MICT, pentoxifylline (D), HIIT+D, and MICT+D, HIIT groups. D and exercise interventions were performed for eight weeks. Then, the macroscopic size of endometriosis lesions was measured, and inflammatory factors (count and percentage of lymphocytes) and coagulation factors, including PLC, PLR, aPTT, PT, PT.I.N. R, and PLR in blood samples were evaluated.

Results

D significantly decreased the volume of lesions and significantly increased PT and PT.I.N. R in blood. HIIT decreased the volume of lesions and significantly increased PT. MICT did not cause significant effects on the target variables. MICT+D decreased the volume of lesions. HIIT+D significantly decreased the volume of lesions and PLC and increased aPTT as well as the count and percentage of lymphocytes, PT, and PT.I.N. R, and decreased PLR.

Conclusions

All interventions(except for MICT) especially HIIT+D and D by priority, induced a significant effect on reducing some indices of inflammation and coagulation.

Lung molecular and histological changes in type 2 diabetic rats and its improvement by high-intensity interval training

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) leads to serious respiratory problems. This study investigated the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on T2D-induced lung injuries at histopathological and molecular levels.

METHODS

Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control (CTL), Diabetes (Db), exercise (Ex), and Diabetes + exercise (Db + Ex) groups. T2D was induced by a high-fat diet plus (35 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ) administration. Rats in Ex and Db + Ex performed HIIT for eight weeks. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), Interleukin 10 (IL-10), BAX, Bcl2, Lecithin, Sphingomyelin (SPM) and Surfactant protein D (SPD) levels were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured in lung tissue. Lung histopathological alterations were assessed by using H&E and trichrome mason staining.

RESULTS

Diabetes was significantly associated with imbalance in pro/anti-inflammatory, pro/anti-apoptosis and redox systems, and reduced the SPD, lecithin sphingomyelin and alveolar number. Performing HIIT by diabetic animals increased Bcl2 (P < 0.05) and IL10 (P < 0.01) levels as well as surfactants components and TAC (P < 0.05) but decreased fasting blood glucose (P < 0.001), TNFα (P < 0.05), BAX (P < 0.05) and BAX/Bcl2 (P < 0.001) levels as well as MDA (P < 0.01) and MDA/TAC (P < 0.01) compared to the diabetic group. Furthermore, lung injury and fibrosis scores were increased by T2D and recovered in presence of HIIT.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the attenuating effect of HIIT on diabetic lung injury mediated by reducing blood sugar, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis as well as improving pulmonary surfactants components.

Immunoinflammatory Response to Acute Noise Stress in Male Rats Adapted with Different Exercise Training

Objective

Noise pollution is a kind of stress that impairs various physiological functions. This study evaluated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) on corticosterone, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte responses to acute noise stress in male rats.

Design

Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, including control which was assessed at the beginning, control time which was assessed simultaneously with experimental groups (CT), HIIT, MCT, HIIT followed by noise stress (HIIT+S), MCT followed by noise stress (MCT+S), and noise stress. HIIT and MCT were performed for 8 weeks. Noise stress was induced for one session. Blood samples were taken 48 hours after the last exercise session in training and CT groups and immediately after acute noise stress in stress groups of HIIT+S, MCT+S, and noise stress.

Results

In response to acute noise stress, MCT and HIIT adaptations increased corticosterone, while reduced monocytes compared to CT. MCT increased basal corticosterone and IL-6 and decreased monocytes; however, in response to acute noise stress, corticosterone was higher and monocyte count was lower in the HIIT+S group. Regarding the effect of training, corticosterone and monocytes in MCT were higher than in HIIT. The serum level of IL-6 was lower in MCT than CT group, while it was not significantly different between stress groups.

Conclusion

In response to noise stress, previous exercise, especially HIIT, increased stress while did not increase inflammatory and innate immune response.

High intensity interval training is superior to moderate intensity continuous training in enhancing the anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effect of pentoxifylline in the rat model of endometriosis

This study investigated the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX), high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) separately and in combination, on inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in the rat model of induced endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced through surgery on female Sprague-Dawley rats. Six weeks after the first surgery, the second look laparotomy was performed. After induction of endometriosis in rats, they were divided into control, MICT, PTX, MICT+ PTX, HIIT, HIIT+PTX groups. Two weeks after the second look laparotomy, PTX and exercise training interventions were performed for eight weeks. Endometriosis lesions were assessed histologically. Proteins content of the NF-κB, PCNA and Bcl-2 were measured by immunoblotting and genes expression of the TNF-α and VEGF were measured by Real-time PCR methods. Findings of the study indicated that, PTX significantly decreased volume and histological grading of lesions, proteins of NF-κB and Bcl-2; and genes expression of the TNF-α, and VEGF in lesions. HIIT significantly decreased volume and histological grading of lesions, NF-κB, TNF-α and VEGF in lesions. MICT did not induce any significant effect on the study variables. Although, MICT+PTX decreased significantly volume and histological grading of lesions, as well as NF-κB, and Bcl-2 in lesions, however, these factors were not significantly different with the PTX group. HIIT+PTX decreased significantly all of the study variables compared to other interventions, except for VEGF when compared to PTX. In summary, combination of PTX and HIIT can induce enhancing effect on suppression of endometriosis through suppressing inflammation, angiogenesis, and proliferation and enhancing apoptosis.

Benefits of high-intensity interval training compared to continuous training to reduce apoptotic markers in female rats with cisplatin nephrotoxicity - possible modulatory role of IL-11

Apoptotic signaling pathways are involved in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by the antineoplastic drug cisplatin (Cis). Mechanical stress is known to increase interleukin (IL) -11, a pleiotropic cytokine with antiapoptotic and antinecrotic effects. We compared the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with low-intensity continuous training (LICT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on renal levels of IL-11 and the expression of apoptotic markers in female rats with nephrotoxicity induced by Cis. For that, the animals were divided into five groups (n = 7): control and sedentary (C + S); Cis and sedentary (Cis + S); Cis and LICT (Cis + LICT); Cis and MICT (Cis + MICT) and Cis and HIIT (Cis + HIIT). At the end of 8 weeks of treadmill running, the rats received a single injection of Cis (5 mg/kg), and 7 days later they were euthanized. Serum and kidney samples were collected to assess the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), gene expression of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and 2 (TNFR2), caspase-3, (p38) MAPK (MAPK14), p53, Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL, renal levels of IL-11, IL-8, and p53, and immunolocalization of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and (p38) MAPK in renal tissue. Our data indicate that all trained groups showed a significant intensity-dependent increase in renal levels of IL-11 associated with reduced local expression of proapoptotic and increased antiapoptotic markers, but these effects were more pronounced with HIIT. So, HIIT appears to provide superior renoprotection than traditional continuous training by modulating apoptotic signaling pathways, and this effect can be related to the increase in renal levels of IL-11.

Electric field-directed migration of mesenchymal stem cells enhances their therapeutic potential on cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin is widely used as an anti-neoplastic agent but is limited by its nephrotoxicity. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the management of acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a new era in treatment but effective homing of administered cells is needed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on cisplatin-induced AKI in rats after directed migration by electric field (EF). Forty-eight adult male albino rats were equally classified into four groups: control, cisplatin-treated, cisplatin plus BM-MSCs, and cisplatin plus BM-MSCs exposed to EF. Serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis for gene expression of Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8 was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, periodic acid Schiff staining, and immunohistochemical analysis were also done. MSC-treated groups showed improvement of kidney function; increased serum levels of IL-10 and decreased levels of TNF-α; and increased mRNA expression of Bcl2 and decreased expression of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8 proteins comparable to the cisplatin-injured group. EF application increased MSCs homing with significant decrease in serum urea level and caspase-3 gene expression together with significant increase in Bcl2 expression than occurred in the MSCs group. Restoration of normal kidney histomorphology with significant decrease in immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 protein was observed in the BM-MSCs plus EF group compared to the BM-MSCs group. EF stimulation enhanced the MSCs homing and improved their therapeutic potential on acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

The effects of apelin-13 against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is observed in nearly 60% of patients undergoing cisplatin (CP) therapy. The aim of this study was to reveal the potential effects of apelin-13 (AP-13) in the prevention of CP-induced renal toxicity, together with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect mechanisms. Four experimental groups were established. Group 1, the control group, received 0.9% saline solution alone intraperitoneally (IP). Group 2, the CP group, received CP IP at 5 mg/kg once weekly for four weeks for induction of nephrotoxicity. In Group 3, the CP + Apelin-13 (AP-13) group, AP-13 was prepared at 20 nmol kg/d in sterile pyrogen-free saline before injection every day for four weeks and administered IP. CP was administered IP at 5 mg/kg once weekly for four weeks for induction of nephrotoxicity. In Group 4, the AP-13 group, AP-13 was prepared at 20 nmol kg/d in sterile pyrogen-free 0.9% saline before injection every day for four weeks and administered IP. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), thiol (-SH), interleukin-1 beta, cleaved caspase-3, 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κβ/p65) levels were then measured. Increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis as a result of CP application activated the cascade. However, AP-13 administration reduced the oxidative stress increased by CIS with the determined antioxidant effect and reduced the damage by increasing total -SH levels. 8-OHdG and NF-κβ/p65, which were up-regulated by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation, were down-regulated through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of AP-13.

Impact of cancer cachexia on respiratory muscle function and the therapeutic potential of exercise

Cancer cachexia is defined as a multi-factorial syndrome characterised by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass and progressive functional impairment, estimated to affect 50-80% of patients and responsible for 20% of cancer deaths. Elevations in the morbidity and mortality rates of cachectic cancer patients has been linked to respiratory failure due to atrophy and dysfunction of the ventilatory muscles. Despite this, there is a distinct scarcity of research investigating the structural and functional condition of the respiratory musculature in cancer, with the majority of studies exclusively focusing on limb muscle. Treatment strategies are largely ineffective in mitigating the cachectic state. It is now widely accepted that an efficacious intervention will likely combine elements of pharmacology, nutrition and exercise. However, of these approaches, exercise has received comparatively little attention. Therefore, it is unlikely to be implemented optimally, whether in isolation or combination. In consideration of these limitations, the current review describes the mechanistic basis of cancer cachexia and subsequently explores the available respiratory- and exercise-focused literature within this context. The molecular basis of cachexia is thoroughly reviewed. The pivotal role of inflammatory mediators is described. Unravelling the mechanisms of exercise-induced support of muscle via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in addition to promoting efficient energy metabolism via increased mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial function and muscle glucose uptake provide avenues for interventional studies. Currently available pre-clinical mouse models including novel transgenic animals provide a platform for the development of multi-modal therapeutic strategies to protect respiratory muscles in people with cancer.

High-Intensity Interval Training-Induced Hippocampal Molecular Changes Associated with Improvement in Anxiety-like Behavior but Not Cognitive Function in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

(1) Background: Exercise exerts many neuroprotective effects in diabetes-induced brain disorders. In this study, we investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on brain molecular changes and cognitive and anxiety-like behaviors in rats with type 2 diabetes. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 7): control (C), exercise + control (C+EX), diabetes (DM), and diabetes + exercise (DM+EX). Diabetes was induced using a two-month high-fat diet and a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) in the DM and DM+EX groups. After, the C+EX and DM+EX groups performed HIIT for eight weeks (five sessions per week, running at 80-100% of VMax, 4-10 intervals) on a motorized treadmill. Then, the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were performed to evaluate anxiety-like behaviors. The Morris water maze (MWM) and shuttle box were used to assess cognitive function. The hippocampal levels of beta-amyloid and tau protein were also assessed using Western blot. (3) Results: The hippocampal levels of beta-amyloid and tau protein were increased in the DM group, but HIIT restored these changes. While diabetes led to a significant decrease in open arm time percentage (%OAT) and open arm enters percentage (%OAE) in the EPM, indicating anxiety-like behavior, HIIT restored them. In the OFT, grooming was decreased in diabetic rats, which was restored by HIIT. No significant difference between groups was seen in the latency time in the shuttle box or for learning and memory in the MWM. (4) Conclusions: HIIT-induced hippocampal molecular changes were associated with anxiety-like behavior improvement but not cognitive function in rats with type 2 diabetes.

PD-1 Alleviates Cisplatin-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Regulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Skeletal muscle atrophy is an important characteristic of cachexia, which can be induced by chemotherapy and significantly contributes to functional muscle impairment. Inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to play important roles in the muscle atrophy observed in cachexia, but whether programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is affected by this condition remains unclear. PD-1 is a membrane protein that is expressed on the surface of many immune cells and plays an important role in adaptive immune responses and autoimmunity. Thus, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of PD-1 in cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy in mice. We found that PD-1 knockout dramatically contributed to skeletal muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, we found that E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases were significantly increased in PD-1 knockout mice after cisplatin treatment. In addition, we found that PD-1 knockout significantly exacerbated cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, we found that there were significant increases in ferroptosis-related and autophagy-related genes in PD-1 knockout mice after cisplatin treatment. These data indicate that PD-1 plays an important role in cisplatin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.

Nephroprotective effect of exercise training in cisplatin-induced renal damage in mice: influence of training protocol

Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic agent, but its use is limited by its nephrotoxicity caused by the oxidative stress in tubular epithelium of nephrons. On the other hand, regular exercise provides beneficial adaptations in different tissues and organs. As with many drugs, dosing is extremely important to get the beneficial effects of exercise. Thus, we aimed to investigate the influence of exercise intensity and frequency on cisplatin-induced (20 mg/kg) renal damage in mice. Forty male Swiss mice were divided into five experimental groups (n=8 per group): 1) sedentary; 2) low-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 3) high-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 4) low-intensity forced swimming, five times per week; and 5) high-intensity forced swimming, five times per week. Body composition, renal structure, functional indicators (plasma urea), lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity, expression of genes related to antioxidant defense, and inflammatory and apoptotic pathways were evaluated. Comparisons considered exercise intensity and frequency. High lipid peroxidation was observed in the sedentary group compared with trained mice, regardless of exercise intensity and frequency. Groups that trained three times per week showed more benefits, as reduced tubular necrosis, plasma urea, expression of CASP3 and Rela (NFkB subunit-p65) genes, and increased total glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant difference in Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) gene expression was observed between groups. Eight weeks of regular exercise training promoted nephroprotection against cisplatin-mediated oxidative injury. Exercise frequency was critical for nephroprotection.

Exercise medicine for cancer cachexia: targeted exercise to counteract mechanisms and treatment side effects

Purpose

Cancer-induced muscle wasting (i.e., cancer cachexia, CC) is a common and devastating syndrome that results in the death of more than 1 in 5 patients. Although primarily a result of elevated inflammation, there are multiple mechanisms that complement and amplify one another. Research on the use of exercise to manage CC is still limited, while exercise for CC management has been recently discouraged. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding that exercise is not a single medicine, but mode, type, dosage, and timing (exercise prescription) have distinct health outcomes. The purpose of this review was to examine the effects of these modes and subtypes to identify the most optimal form and dosage of exercise therapy specific to each underlying mechanism of CC.

Methods

The relevant literatures from MEDLINE and Scopus databases were examined.

Results

Exercise can counteract the most prominent mechanisms and signs of CC including muscle wasting, increased protein turnover, systemic inflammation, reduced appetite and anorexia, increased energy expenditure and fat wasting, insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, hypogonadism, impaired oxidative capacity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cancer treatments side-effects. There are different modes of exercise, and each mode has different sub-types that induce vastly diverse changes when performed over multiple sessions. Choosing suboptimal exercise modes, types, or dosages can be counterproductive and could further contribute to the mechanisms of CC without impacting muscle growth.

Conclusion

Available evidence shows that patients with CC can safely undertake higher-intensity resistance exercise programs, and benefit from increases in body mass and muscle mass.

Amelioration of Ambient Particulate Matter (PM2.5)-Induced Lung Injury in Rats by Aerobic Exercise Training

Ambient particulate matter (PM_2.5), as an inflammation-inducing factor, increases the prevalence of lung injury. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect and mechanism of aerobic exercise on PM_2.5 exposure-induced lung injury. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary+PM_2.5 exposure, exercise+PM_2.5 exposure, sedentary, and exercise groups. All rats in the exercise-related groups underwent 8-week aerobic interval treadmill training (5daysweek⁻¹, 1hday⁻¹). PM-exposed rats were exposed to ambient PM_2.5 (6h day⁻¹) for 3weeks after the 8-week exercise intervention. Then, ventilation function, histopathological changes, and inflammation responses of pulmonary tissue were examined. Results showed that PM_2.5 exposure induced lung injury as manifested by decreased pulmonary function, abnormal histopathological changes, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-1α). Aerobic exercise alleviated the airway obstruction, reduced respiratory muscle strength, bronchial mucosal exfoliation, ultrastructure damage, and inflammatory responses induced by PM_2.5 in exercise-related groups. The benefits of exercise were related with the downregulation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the subsequent inhibition of the pathways of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) product, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Thus, pre-exercise training may be an effective way to protect against PM_2.5-induced lung inflammatory injury in rats.

Chemotherapy-induced toxicity in patients with testicular germ cell tumors: The impact of physical fitness and regular exercise

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) represent ∼95% of testicular malignancies and are the most common type of malignancy in young male adults. While the incidence of TGCTs has increased during the last decades, the advances in treatment, namely introducing cisplatin into the chemotherapy regimen, have made TGCTs highly curable with the 10-year survival rate exceeding 95%. However, in parallel with increased cure rates, survivors may experience acute and late adverse effects of treatment, which increase morbidity, reduce the quality of life, and can be potentially life-threatening. Chemotherapy-related toxicities include cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, secondary cancer, avascular necrosis, cognitive impairment, cancer-related fatigue, poor mental health-related quality of life, nephrotoxicity, hypogonadism, neurotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, anxiety, and depression. These treatment-related adverse effects have emerged as important survivorship dilemmas in TGCT cancer survivors. Recently, regular physical exercise has increasingly attracted research and clinical attention as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients.

PURPOSE

Herein, we review the most common chemotherapy-related adverse effects in TGCT survivors and clinical relevance of exercise and increased cardio-respiratory fitness in modulating chemotherapy-related toxicity and quality of life in this population.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Exercise has positive effects on a spectrum of physical and psychosocial outcomes during and after cancer treatment, and current guidelines on exercise prescription in chronic diseases define the recommended dose (volume and intensity) of regular exercise for cancer survivors, highlighting regular, sufficiently intensive physical activity as an essential part of patients' care.