Contribution of voluntary aerobic physical activity on cancer cachexia mediators in mice

Abstract

Cachexia, characterized by metabolic dysfunction and musclke wasting, affects both quality of life and life expectancy in patients with cancer. Therefore, efficient strategies to attenuate both atrophy and energetic metabolism dysfunction in skeletal muscle remain as a main challenge. In the present project, we will perform an experimental study to investigate the contribution of aerobic metabolism on serum chemical mediators of muscle atrophy induced by cancer. For this purpose, the present project will be divided into three studies. The first one aims to answer the following questions: is the daily exposure of mice to an environment containing the free running wheel for physical activities a good model to increase VO2max?; How much time is necessary to reach a plateau effect under VO2max in a freee exercising model? The second study goal is to answer whether mice with higher VO2max levels will have protective responses in skeletal muscle when inoculated with Lewis and/or B16 tumor cells. Finally, the third study aim is to answer the question: are the protective effects of aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle associated to a reduction of cachexia induced serum mediators? (AU)