Effect of aerobic training on the amount of paw edema and IL-6, TNF-α and CC16 levels in rats exposed to arsenic

Exposure to arsenic through drinking water is a widespread public health problem that is associated with an increased risk of several consequences, including inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effect of aerobic training on the amount of paw edema and IL-6, TNF-α and CC16 levels in rats exposed to arsenic.

In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, arsenic, training and arsenic+training. Arsenic  was consumed  five mg/kg/day orally (gavaged) for eight weeks. Aerobic training was conducted  for eight weeks (five sessions/week, each session for 10 to 30 min with a treadmill speed of 10 to 25 m/min, at slope of 5%. ELISA and plethysmometer methods were used to measure serum IL-6, TNF-α and CC16 levels and the amount of rat paw edema, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests at the p<0.05 level.

Arsenic exposure elevated IL-6, TNF-α and CC16 levels (For all three variables p=0.001) in rats exposed to arsenic, but had no significant effect on paw edema (p=0.8). Training intervention decreased arsenic-induced serum levels of IL-6 (respectively p=0.001, p=0.02,  p=0.001), TNF-α (respectively p=0.001, p=0.02,  p=0.03) and CC16 (respectively p=0.03, p=0.001,  p=0.008) compared to the control, arsenic and arsenic + exercise groups  (p=0.8). However, training had no significant effect on rat paw edema (p <0.05).

While, arsenic exposure leads to an increased serum IL-6, TNF-α and CC16 levels in rats exposed to arsenic, aerobic exercise seems to can reverse this inflammatory response. However, more researches remains to be done because of the study limitations and lack of similar evidence in human population.