Effects of exercise on bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity in mice

NIH/Swiss mice were used to study the effects of exercise on bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity. After a 2-week exercise acclimation program the mice were treated with bleomycin sc twice a week and swim-exercised for 1 hour three times a week for 6 weeks. Based on higher mortality and significant weight loss in the exercise-drug-treated mice and a comparison of histological data, it is concluded that exercise exacerbates the toxicity of bleomycin.