Abstract: Objective:To investigate the effects of endurance training on interleukin-18(IL-18) and IL-10 in atherogenice apolipoprotein E gene knockout(ApoE^-/-)mice and explore its possible mechanism preventing atherosclerosis occurrence. Methods:Twenty male ApoE^-/- mice (age:8 weeks) were randomly divided into atherosclerosis(AS)model group(AC) and exercise group(AE) and chose male C57BL/6J mice (age:8 weeks) as control group (CC). After 12 weeks, the aortic trunk closed heart was prepared for frozen section, which were used to observe the changes of plaque area and pathology. The expressions of IL-18 and IL-10 proteins and the levels of blood IL-18 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Results:① Twelve weeks high fat diet significantly resulted in typical AS lesion, however, endurance training markedly decreased AS plaque area and pathology in ApoE^-/- mice(P<0.01). ②Compared with CC group, serum IL-18 and IL-10 levels were significantly increased in AC group and AE group and IL-18/IL-10 ratio was also increased markedly in AE group(P<0.01). Serum IL-18 level and IL-18/IL-10 ratio in AE group were all significantly lower than those in AC group (P<0.01).③Compared with CC group, the expressions of IL-10 and IL-18 proteins in aorta were significantly increased in AC group and AE group (P<0.01). The expression of IL-10 protein in aorta in AE group was markedly higher than that in AC group but IL-18 protein expression was significantly lower. Conclusion:Endurance training can prevent AS appeared through enhancing aortic anti-inflammatory capability by decreasing serum and aortic IL-18 levels and by increasing serum and aortic IL-10 level.

Key words: endurance training, atherosclerosis, interleukin-18, interleukin-10, apolipoprotein E gene knockout mice