Voluntary Physical Exercise Reduces Motor Dysfunction and Hampers Tumor Cell Proliferation in a Mouse Model of Glioma

Elena Tantillo, Antonella Colistra, Laura Baroncelli, Mario Costa, Matteo Caleo and Eleonora Vannini
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Elena Tantillo: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
Antonella Colistra: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
Laura Baroncelli: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
Mario Costa: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
Matteo Caleo: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
Eleonora Vannini: Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Currently, high-grade gliomas are the most difficult brain cancers to treat and all the approved experimental treatments do not offer long-term benefits regarding symptom improvement. Epidemiological studies indicate that exercise decreases the risk of brain cancer mortality, but a direct relationship between physical exercise and glioma progression has not been established so far. Here, we exploited a mouse model of high-grade glioma to directly test the impact of voluntary physical exercise on the tumor proliferation and motor capabilities of affected animals. We report that exposing symptomatic, glioma-bearing mice to running wheels (i) reduced the proliferation rate of tumors implanted in the motor cortex and (ii) delayed glioma-induced motor dysfunction. Thus, voluntary physical exercise might represent a supportive intervention that complements existing neuro-oncologic therapies, contributing to the preservation of functional motor ability and counteracting the detrimental effects of glioma on behavioral output.

Keywords: glioma; voluntary physical exercise; tumor proliferation; motor cortex; GL261; motor tests (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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