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Updated: May 25, 2026

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A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
Exercise training decreases adipose tissue inflammation in cachectic rats.
F S Lira1, A S Yamashita, J C Rosa
1Cancer Metabolism Research Group, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Cancer cachexia causes inflammation in white adipose tissue. Moderate intensity exercise training helps reduce this inflammation and improve the anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in cachectic rats.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Exercise Physiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is linked to chronic systemic inflammation.
- Endurance training is a potential nonpharmacological anti-inflammatory intervention.
- White adipose tissue plays a role in systemic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of moderate-intensity exercise on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in white adipose tissue depots of cachectic rats.
- To evaluate the effects of exercise on inflammatory cell infiltration in adipose tissue during cancer cachexia.
Main Methods:
- Eight weeks of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (60% VO2max) in tumor-bearing rats (Walker-256 carcinosarcoma).
- Analysis of retroperitoneal (RPAT) and mesenteric (MEAT) adipose tissue for cytokine mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (ELISA) expression (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10).
- Assessment of infiltrating monocyte counts in adipose tissue.
Main Results:
- Cachectic rats exhibited increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) in MEAT and elevated cytokine expression in RPAT compared to controls.
- The anti-inflammatory IL-10/TNF-α ratio was reduced in RPAT of cachectic rats, indicating inflammation.
- Exercise training improved the IL-10/TNF-α ratio and reduced monocyte infiltration in both MEAT and RPAT of cachectic rats.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cachexia is associated with white adipose tissue inflammation.
- Exercise training can prevent adipose tissue inflammation in the mesenteric depot and partially in the retroperitoneal depot.
- Exercise modulates the cytokine balance and reduces inflammatory cell infiltration in adipose tissue during cancer cachexia.

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