Publication:

Evaluation of anti-aging effects of swimming exercise on inflammatory parameters in D-galactose-treated Wistar albino male rats

Background The present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-ageing effect of swimming exercise on inflammatory parameters in D-galactose-induced Wistar albino male rats.

Methods Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, namely, normal control, D-galactose-treated group (positive control), normal control with swimming exercise, and D-galactose-treated rats with swimming exercise. The experiment was conducted for 42 days. D-galactose was administered as a compound to induce ageing-like changes, and swimming exercise was used as a non-pharmacological treatment. Plasma was separated from blood samples on the 43rd day for estimation of inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP) taken from the tail vein.

Results The plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP were significantly higher in the D-galactose-treated rats than in the normal control rats, suggesting an enhanced inflammatory response. The swimming exercise significantly reduced IL-6 and CRP levels in D-galactose-treated rats compared with the positive control group.

Conclusions Swimming exercise was found to have a significant anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effect on Wistar albino male rats treated with D-galactose, as the plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP were reduced. Therefore, swimming exercise could be regarded as a useful non-pharmacological method to prevent inflammatory changes associated with aging.