A I Faustino-Rocha1, A Silva2, J Gabriel2, R M Gil da Costa3, M Moutinho4, P A Oliveira5, A Gama6, R Ferreira7, M Ginja5. 1. Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal; Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal; Organic Chemistry, Natural Products and Foodstuffs (QOPNA), Mass Spectrometry Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address: anafaustino.faustino@sapo.pt. 2. Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI), Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. 3. Laboratory for Process Environment Biotechnology and Energy Engineering (LEPABE), FEUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, CI-IPOP, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal. 4. Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal. 5. Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal. 6. Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal. 7. Organic Chemistry, Natural Products and Foodstuffs (QOPNA), Mass Spectrometry Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Antonieta Alvarado; Rui M Gil da Costa; Ana I Faustino-Rocha; Rita Ferreira; Carlos Lopes; Paula A Oliveira; Bruno Colaço Journal: Int J Exp Pathol Date: 2017-02 Impact factor: 1.925
Authors: Catherine Seet-Lee; Jasmine Yee; Heidi Morahan; Lois S Ross; Kate M Edwards Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-06-02 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Ana I Faustino-Rocha; Adelina Gama; Paula A Oliveira; Antonieta Alvarado; Maria J Neuparth; Rita Ferreira; Mário Ginja Journal: Clin Exp Med Date: 2016-04-19 Impact factor: 3.984
Authors: Katarzyna Siewierska; Iwona Malicka; Christopher Kobierzycki; Urszula Paslawska; Marek Cegielski; Jedrzej Grzegrzolka; Aleksandra Piotrowska; Marzenna Podhorska-Okolow; Piotr Dziegiel; Marek Wozniewski Journal: In Vivo Date: 2018 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 2.155
Authors: Oliver Schumacher; Daniel A Galvão; Dennis R Taaffe; Raphael Chee; Nigel Spry; Robert U Newton Journal: Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis Date: 2020-07-06 Impact factor: 5.554
Authors: Linda A Buss; Abel D Ang; Barry Hock; Bridget A Robinson; Margaret J Currie; Gabi U Dachs Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-03-18 Impact factor: 3.240