the effect of aerobic exercise in carbon black particulates air pollution on tlr4 and tnf-α gene expression in lung tissue of male rats

the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of aerobic exercise in carbon black particulates air pollution on tlr4 and tnf-α gene expression in male rats. 24 male wistar rats (mean body mass 279.29+26.97 gr) were randomly divided into 4 groups: a) control, b) aerobic exercise, c) pollution, d) exercise+pollution. a particulates injector and falounak chamber were used to expose the rats to carbon black particulates with a diameter˂10 micron. aerobic exercise protocol was performed in each group with 50% maximum speed for 4 weeks. the subjects were killed 24 hours after the last session and exposure to carbon black particulates. the gene expression of tlr4, and tnf-α were analyzed in the lung tissue by real time – pcr technique. in order to determine the significant differences among the groups, multiple anova, lsd post hoc and non-parametric friedman tests were used. aerobic exercise reduced the gene expression of tlr4, and tnf-α in rats exposed to carbon black particulates. also, the exercise significantly reduced body mass in those groups exposed to carbon black particulates. 4 weeks of aerobic exercise in carbon black particulates air pollution balanced inflammatory markers of tlr4, tnf-α and body mass. it seems that these changes are partly associated with a reduction in the risk of pulmonary diseases.