Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model

Breast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are esse...

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Main Authors: Jessica Silva, Tiago Azevedo, Inês Aires, Catarina Medeiros, Maria J. Neuparth, Fernanda Seixas, Rita Ferreira, Ana I. Faustino-Rocha, Paula A. Oliveira, José Alberto Duarte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/303
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author Jessica Silva
Tiago Azevedo
Inês Aires
Catarina Medeiros
Maria J. Neuparth
Fernanda Seixas
Rita Ferreira
Ana I. Faustino-Rocha
Paula A. Oliveira
José Alberto Duarte
author_facet Jessica Silva
Tiago Azevedo
Inês Aires
Catarina Medeiros
Maria J. Neuparth
Fernanda Seixas
Rita Ferreira
Ana I. Faustino-Rocha
Paula A. Oliveira
José Alberto Duarte
author_sort Jessica Silva
collection DOAJ
description Breast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are essential. This study analyses the effects of resistance training on the development of chemically induced mammary cancer in female Wistar rats, divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR), sedentary induced (CTR+<i>N</i>-methyl-<i>N</i>-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised control (EX), and exercised induced (EX+MNU). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing three times a week for 18 weeks with the load progressively increasing. At the study’s end, blood and histopathological samples were collected and analyzed. Although tumor onset occurred two weeks earlier and incidence was slightly higher in the exercised group (EX+MNU) compared to the control group (CTR+MNU), the mortality rate was lower, and the malignancy was not as aggressive. No systemic inflammation was observed, as the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the MNU groups remained similar to the controls. Exercise has been shown to promote overall health by increasing physical fitness, boosting immunological function, and improving metabolic health. These findings may offer valuable insights into the potential role of resistance training in managing mammary cancer in companion animals. However, further research is required to assess clinical applicability and to establish safe and effective exercise protocols for veterinary oncology.
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spelling doaj-art-c9db41b15faf439ca4eccffab925d8e92025-08-20T02:18:10ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-03-0112430310.3390/vetsci12040303Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat ModelJessica Silva0Tiago Azevedo1Inês Aires2Catarina Medeiros3Maria J. Neuparth4Fernanda Seixas5Rita Ferreira6Ana I. Faustino-Rocha7Paula A. Oliveira8José Alberto Duarte9Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalResearch Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; Toxicology Research Unit (TOXRUN), University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, PortugalAnimal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science—AL4AnimalS, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalLAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalAssociate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, PortugalBreast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are essential. This study analyses the effects of resistance training on the development of chemically induced mammary cancer in female Wistar rats, divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR), sedentary induced (CTR+<i>N</i>-methyl-<i>N</i>-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised control (EX), and exercised induced (EX+MNU). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing three times a week for 18 weeks with the load progressively increasing. At the study’s end, blood and histopathological samples were collected and analyzed. Although tumor onset occurred two weeks earlier and incidence was slightly higher in the exercised group (EX+MNU) compared to the control group (CTR+MNU), the mortality rate was lower, and the malignancy was not as aggressive. No systemic inflammation was observed, as the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the MNU groups remained similar to the controls. Exercise has been shown to promote overall health by increasing physical fitness, boosting immunological function, and improving metabolic health. These findings may offer valuable insights into the potential role of resistance training in managing mammary cancer in companion animals. However, further research is required to assess clinical applicability and to establish safe and effective exercise protocols for veterinary oncology.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/303breast cancerphysical activityresistance trainingWistar rats
spellingShingle Jessica Silva
Tiago Azevedo
Inês Aires
Catarina Medeiros
Maria J. Neuparth
Fernanda Seixas
Rita Ferreira
Ana I. Faustino-Rocha
Paula A. Oliveira
José Alberto Duarte
Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
Veterinary Sciences
breast cancer
physical activity
resistance training
Wistar rats
title Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
title_full Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
title_fullStr Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
title_short Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
title_sort effects of ladder climbing exercise on mammary cancer data from a chemically induced rat model
topic breast cancer
physical activity
resistance training
Wistar rats
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/4/303
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