Long-term exercise training as a modulator of mammary cancer vascularization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

A. I. Faustino Rocha (Author) Other; A. Silva (Author) Other; J. Gabriel (Author) FEUP; R. M. Gil da Costa (Author) FEUP; M. Moutinho (Author) Other; P. A. Oliveira (Author) Other; A. Gama (Author) Other; R. Ferreira (Author) Other; M. Ginja (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Vol. 81

Pages: 273-280

ISSN: 0753-3322

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 22 Citations

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-DJ7

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.04.030

Abstract (EN): Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death by cancer worldwide. It is commonly accepted that angiogenesis and the expression of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is associated with the increased risk of metastasis and poor patient outcome. Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term exercise training on the growth and vascularization of mammary tumors in a rat model. Materials and methods: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: two N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-exposed groups (exercised and sedentary) and two control groups (exercised and sedentary). MNU was administered once, intraperitoneally at 7 weeks-old. Animals were then exercised on a treadmill for 35 weeks. Mammary tumors were evaluated using thermography, ultrasonography [Power Doppler (PDI), B Flow and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)], and immunohistochemistry (VEGF-A). Results: Both, MNU sedentary and exercised groups showed 100% of tumor incidence, but exercised animals showed less tumors with an increased latency period. Exercise training also enhanced VEGF-A immunoexpression and vascularization (microvessel density, MVD) (p < 0.05), and reduced histological aggressiveness. Ultrasound and thermal imaging analysis confirmed the enhanced vascularization of tumors on exercised animals. Conclusion: Long-term exercise training increased VEGF-A expression, leading to enhanced tumor vascularization and reduced tumor burden, multiplicity and histological aggressiveness. © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8