Studying the effect of a swimming training period on NF-κB gene expression in mice with Benzo[a]pyrene -induced lung cancer

Subject Areas : Journal of Physical Activity and Hormones

Mahnaz Rafati ¹ , Elaheh Heidarnia ² , Mehrzad Moghadasi ³

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Received: 2025-04-30 Accepted : 2025-07-01 Published : 2025-07-09

Keywords: Lung cancer, Benzo[a]pyrene, Inflammation, NF-κB, Swimming exercises,

Abstract :

Introduction: NF-κB activation affects hallmarks of cancer and inflammatory diseases through the transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor promotion and metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a swimming training session on NF-kB gene expression in mice with benzo[a]pyrene-induced lung cancer.

Material & Methods: In this study, 18 male Balb/c mice (mean age: 8 months; weight: 18–22 g) were divided into 3 groups (healthy control (HC), lung cancer (B[a]P), and lung cancer + training (ST) groups). Lung cancer was induced by an injection of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (100 mg/kg). The intervention groups received swimming training for 12 weeks, 5 sessions per week. After the 12-week intervention period, lung tissue was dissected and NF-kB gene expression was measured using PCR. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post-hoc test.

Results: According to one-way variance analysis, there was a significant difference between the study groups in NF-κB gene expression (P = 0.03). To find the location of the difference, the Tukey post-hoc test was used. According to the results of the Tukey post-hoc test, NF-κB gene expression in the HC group was not significantly different from the B[a]P group (P = 0.190). Also, there was no significant difference between the HC group and the ST group (P = 0.526). On the other hand, NF-κB gene expression in the ST group was significantly lower than in the B[a]P group (P = 0.02).

Conclusion: This study shows that ST intervention reduces NF-κB gene expression and improves inflammation in cancerous lung tissue.

                                                                  

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