The Impact of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on the Expression of Pro-inflammatory Genes IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 in the Intestinal Lymphocytes of Aged Mice
Keywords:
Aerobic Exercise, Intestinal Inflammation, Aging, Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, Gut MicrobiomeAbstract
Objectives:: Aging is associated with chronic intestinal inflammation, which elevates the risk of diseases like colorectal cancer. Intestinal lymphocytes, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8, play a key role in this process. Despite the anti-inflammatory potential of aerobic exercise, the effects of different exercise intensities on gut immunity in aging are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of high-intensity (85–100% VO2max) and moderate-intensity (70–75% VO2max) aerobic exercise on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 in the intestinal lymphocytes of aged rats.
Methods & Materials: This was a randomized, controlled experimental study. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (18 months old) were divided into four groups: healthy control, untrained control (with DSS-induced intestinal inflammation), high-intensity exercise, and moderate-intensity exercise. Intestinal inflammation was induced using a 2–3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution. The exercise protocol was an 8-week program (5 sessions/week) of treadmill running. Gene expression was measured using Real-Time PCR, and protein levels were quantified via ELISA. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-tests, with a significance level of p≤0.05.
Results: Gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α increased by 2.6 times and IL-8 by 2.9 times in the untrained control group (p<0.001). High-intensity exercise reduced the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α by 50% and IL-8 by 40%, whereas moderate intensity showed reductions of 35% and 30%, respectively (p<0.001). High intensity was more effective in reducing IL-1β and TNF-α (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Aerobic exercise, especially at high intensity, reduces intestinal inflammation in aged mice. It can serve as a non-pharmacological strategy for preventing age-related diseases.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Arezoo Kalantari (Author); Saeed Keshavarz (Corresponding Author); Allahyar Arabmomeni, Leila Sarrami (Author)
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