Abstract
It has recently been suggested that regular exercise reduces lung function decline and risk of COPD among active smokers, however the mechanisms involved in this effect remains poorly understood.
Objective: The present study evaluated the effects of regular exercise training in an experimental mouse model of chronic cigarette smoke (CS) exposure.
Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: control, exercise, smoke and smoke + exercise for 24 weeks. We measured respiratory mechanics, mean linear intercept (Lm), inflammatory cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), collagen deposition in alveolar walls, and the expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, MMP9, TIMP1, IL10 and 8-isoprostane in alveolar walls.
Results: Exercise attenuated the decrease in pulmonary elastance (P<0.01) and the increase in Lm (P<0.003) induced by CS exposure. Exercise substantially inhibited the increase in ROS in BAL and 8-isoprostane expression in lung tissue induced by CS. In addition, exercise significantly inhibited the decreases in IL10, TIMP1 and CuZnSOD induced by exposure to CS. Exercise also increased the number of cells expressing GPx.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that regular aerobic physical training of moderate intensity attenuates the development of pulmonary disease induced by cigarette smoke exposure.
- ERS
