Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract Hepatic gene expression of inflammatory and growth factors such as IL-8 and bFGF2 may be modulated in melanoma metastasis. Non-pharmacological interventions like exercise and anti-inflammatory supplements represent potential complementary strategies for modification. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise, pineapple extract supplementation, and their combination on the hepatic expression of CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG and bFGF2 genes in a murine melanoma model. Melanoma-bearing mice were allocated into four groups (n=5 per group): Control, Aerobic Exercise, Pineapple Extract Supplement, and Aerobic Exercise+Pineapple Extract. After the intervention period, liver tissue was analyzed for CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG and bFGF2 gene expression via one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test. Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between the two genes. A significant difference was observed in CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG gene expression between groups (F=4.211, p=0.0239). Post hoc analysis revealed that only the combined Aerobic Exercise + Pineapple Extract group showed a significant decrease in hepatic CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG compared to the Cancer Control group (p=0.0251). In contrast, no significant difference was found in bFGF2 gene expression across groups (F=1.425, p=0.2745). Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG and bFGF2 exclusively in the Cancer Control group (r=-0.948, p=0.013). The combination of aerobic exercise and pineapple extract supplementation significantly reduces hepatic CXCL2/IL-8 HOMOLOG expression in melanoma-bearing mice, suggesting a potential synergistic effect in modulating the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment. The distinct lack of effect on bFGF2 and the specific negative correlation in controls highlight pathway-selective responses.

Abstract To investigate the individual and combined effects of six weeks of aerobic exercise and hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica (nettle) on tumor volume, body weight, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in both serum and tumor tissue in male C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 melanoma tumors. Thirty-two male C57BL/6 mice (6–8 weeks old, 12–14 g) were randomly assigned to four equal groups (n=8): Control, Aerobic Exercise (AE), Nettle Extract (NE), and Combined (AE+NE). Melanoma was induced via surgical implantation of B16F10 tumor fragments. The AE protocol consisted of treadmill running for 6 weeks (5 days/week, progressing from 20 to 30 minutes/session at 6–16 m/min). The NE group received intraperitoneal injections of hydroalcoholic nettle extract (200 mg/kg body weight). The combined group received both interventions. The combined AE+NE group showing a significant reduction in tumor volume compared to the control group (p=0.0186). One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in serum IL-10 across groups (F=9.811, p=0.0001), with significant increases observed in the AE (p=0.0003) and AE+NE (p = 0.0005) groups compared to controls. For tumor IL-10, a significant difference was also found across groups (F=3.047, p= 0.0451), with the combined AE+NE group showing a significant decrease (p =0.0435) compared to the control group. No significant correlation was found between serum and tumor IL-10 levels in any group (p>0.05). The combined intervention significantly suppressed tumor growth compared to controls and was associated with increased serum IL-10 levels but decreased IL-10 levels within the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a complex, compartment-specific immunomodulatory effect.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of resistance training and pineapple extract consumption on intratumoral NF-κB and LIN28B gene expression and serum TNF-α levels in a murine C57 melanoma model. Twenty C57BL/6 mice were allocated into four groups (n=5/group): melanoma tumor control (MT), MT with resistance training (MT+RT), MT with pineapple extract (MT+PJ), and MT with combined intervention (MT+RT+PJ). The RT protocol and PJ administration (300 mg/kg/day via gavage) were conducted for six weeks’ post-tumor induction. Serum TNF-α was quantified by ELISA, and tumor gene expression of NF-κB and LIN28B was analyzed via RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. All three intervention groups exhibited a significant downregulation of NF-κB and LIN28B gene expression in tumor tissue compared to the MT control group (p<0.05). Conversely, serum TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in the intervention groups relative to the control (p<0.05). Resistance training and pineapple extract consumption, both individually and in combination, significantly modulated pro-tumorigenic pathways by suppressing intratumoral NF-κB and LIN28B expression, despite an observed increase in systemic TNF-α.