MRI biomarkers of exercise-induced improvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain of old high fat fed ApoE−/− mice

Background: Vascular brain lesions, present in advanced atherosclerosis, share pathological hallmarks with peripheral vascular lesions, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Physical activity reduces these peripheral risk factors, but its cerebrovascular effect is less documented, especially by non-invasive imaging. Objectives: Through a combination of in-vivo and post-mortem techniques, we aimed at characterizing vascular brain damage in old ApoE−/− mice fed a high cholesterol (HC) diet with dietary controlled intake. We then sought to determine the beneficial effects of exercise training on oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain as a treatment option in an aging atherosclerosis mouse model. Methods: Using in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biological markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, we evaluated the occurrence of vascular abnormalities in the brain of HC-diet fed ApoE−/− mice over 70 weeks old, its association with local and systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, and whether both can be modulated by exercise. Results: Exercise training significantly reduced both MRI-detected abnormalities (present in 71% of untrained vs. 14% of trained mice) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation: 9.1 ± 1.4 vs. 5.2 ± 0.9 μmol mg-1, P < 0.01) and inflammation (IL-1β: 226.8 ± 27.1 vs. 182.5 ± 21.5 pg mg-1, P < 0.05) in the brain, and the mortality rate. Exercise also decreased peripheral insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation, but significant associations were only seen within brain markers. Conclusions: Highly localized vascular brain damages are frequent in this aging atherosclerosis model and exercise is able to reduce this outcome and improve lifespan. In-vivo MRI evaluated both the neurovascular damage and the protective effect of exercise. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved