Exercise training increases the stability of atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene-deficient mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise training on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene-deficient mice. A total of 80 ApoE gene-deficient mice were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. The exercise group was subjected to 8 weeks of electric treadmill training, while the activity of animals in the control group was restricted for the same 8-week period. In the exercise group the thickness of the fibrous cap was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and plaque stability was also increased. The plaque vulnerability index of the exercise group exhibited a significant difference compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and MMP-14 was significantly lower in plaques from the exercise group (P < 0.05), while blood lipid levels and plaque area showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). These data suggest that exercise could increase the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, and therefore delay the progression of atherosclerosis.