Short-Term Combined Exercise Improves Inflammatory Profile in the Retina of Obese Mice.

Thaís Dantis Pereira De Campos,Ana Paula Morelli,Raphael Dos Santos Canciglieri,José Rodrigo Pauli,Leandro Pereira De Moura,Fernando Moreira Simabuco,Adelino Sanchez Ramos Da Silva,Eduardo Rochete Ropelle,Rodrigo Martins Pereira,Dennys Esper Cintra,Kellen Cristina Da Cruz Rodrigues,Alisson Luiz Da Rocha

doi:10.3390/ijms21176099

Thaís Dantis Pereira De Campos, Ana Paula Morelli + Show 10 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176099

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Abstract

Excess of adipose tissue increases the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, triggering a subclinical inflammatory condition. This inflammatory profile contributes to retina damage, which can lead to retinal dysfunction and reduced vision. Regularly practicing both aerobic and strength exercises is well known for promoting anti-inflammatory effects on different organs in the peripheral and central regions. However, the effects of combined physical exercise (CPE; strength + aerobic) on the inflammatory process in the retina tissue are not yet known. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CPE on the inflammatory profile of the retina in obese mice. Swiss mice were distributed into control, sedentary obese, and trained obese groups. The trained obese group was subjected to short-term CPE, 1 h/day, for 7 days. The CPE was composed of aerobic and strength exercises in the same exercise session. The strength exercise protocol consisted of 10 climbing series, with 12 ± 1 dynamic climbing movements at 70% of the maximum voluntary carrying capacity (MVCC), and the aerobic exercise protocol consisted of 30 min of treadmill running, with an intensity of 75% of the exhaust velocity. Subsequently, the retina was excised and analyzed by Western blot. Obese animals presented impairment on glucose homeostasis and elevated levels of proinflammatory proteins in the serum and retina; however, CPE was effective in reversing these parameters, independently of changes in body adiposity. Therefore, for the first time, we have shown that short-term CPE can be an important strategy to treat an inflammatory profile in the retina.

Highlights

1.3 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese [1]
As expected, the high-fat diet was effective in increasing the body mass of both obese groups when compared to the control group
We showed that short-term combined exercise was efficient in improving the inflammatory profile and, insulin sensitivity in the retina of obese mice

Summary

Introduction

1.3 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese [1]. The main consequence of obesity is the development of low-grade systemic inflammation that may contribute to the onset of diabetic retinopathy [2]. In the retina, when the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by the toll-like receptor/nuclear factor kappa B (TLR4/NFκB) pathway bind to their receptors, there is an increase in the transcription of proinflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes, augmenting vascular permeability, apoptosis, and neurodegeneration [4]. In this scenario, IL-1β acts as a potent mediator in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases, since it promotes inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix accumulation [4,5], contributing to the emergence of various diseases. VEGF, the end product of the IL-1β pathway, induces angiogenesis, and this condition increases intraocular inflammation through vessel permeability [6]

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