The effect of aerobic endurance exercise on renal fibrosis and the expression of TGF-beta 1 and E-cadherin in aged mice

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of aerobic endurance exercise on renal fibrosis in elderly mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Thirty-six healthy, male C57 mice were sorted into a young control group (2 months old), a senile control group (19 months old) and a senile exercise group (also 19 months old). The senile exercise group underwent aerobic endurance exercise for 7 weeks. Then all of the mice were sacrificed and any changes of in their renal tissues were recorded, especially the expression of fibrosis indicators using HE staining, Sirius red staining, RT-PCRs and immunohistochemical methods. Results Collagen fibers deposited in the kidney tissue of the senile groups were significantly more numerous than in the young control group, but their number had decreased significantly after the exercise. Conclusion Aerobic endurance exercise can inhibit collagen deposition and delay the formation of renal fibrosis, at least in rats. This may be related to its inhibition of TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression and up-regulation of E-cadherin expression. Key words: Aerobic exercise; Endurance exercise; Kidneys; Fibrosis; Renal fibrosis