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The effect of exercise on IL-6-induced cachexia in the Apc ( Min/+) mouse
Melissa J Puppa1, James P White, Kandy T Velázquez
1Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory, Exercise Science Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
|April 6, 2012
Summary
Moderate exercise attenuated interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced cachexia in Apc(Min/+) mice. Exercise improved insulin sensitivity and muscle energy status, independent of IL-6 levels or inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Physiology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Cachexia is unintentional weight loss linked to disease, involving muscle and fat loss.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) accelerates cachexia in Apc(Min/+) mice but not controls.
- Moderate exercise may improve chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of regular moderate exercise on preventing IL-6-induced cachexia in Apc(Min/+) mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice (Apc(Min/+)) were assigned to moderate treadmill exercise or cage control from 6-14 weeks.
- Systemic IL-6 overexpression was induced via electroporation at 12 weeks.
- Mice were analyzed after 2 weeks of IL-6 treatment.
Main Results:
- Exercise significantly attenuated IL-6-induced 8% body weight loss in Apc(Min/+) mice.
- Exercise normalized IL-6-induced increases in fasting insulin and triglycerides.
- Exercise increased muscle oxidative capacity and altered AKT/AMPK signaling despite inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Moderate exercise attenuates IL-6-dependent cachexia in Apc(Min/+) mice.
- Exercise benefits occurred independently of IL-6 levels and muscle inflammation.
- Exercise improved insulin sensitivity and muscle energy status.

