Voluntary exercise ameliorates the progression of atherosclerotic lesion formation via anti-inflammatory effects in apolipoprotein e-deficient mice

Aim: 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. methods and 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 chemoat-tractant 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.