Endurance exercise training inhibits neointimal formation via enhancement of FOXOs expression in balloon-induced atherosclerosis rat model

[PURPOSE]: This study investigated the effect of endurance exercise on neointimal formation, endothelial-dependant relaxation and FOXO expression in balloon-induced carotid arteries of rats. [METHODS]: Male SD(Sprague-Dawley) rats of 8 weeks ages were randomly divided into 3 groups; Sham-operated control (SO, n=10), Balloon-induced control (BIC, n=10), and Balloon-induced exercise (BIE, n=10). Endurance exercise training was performed on treadmill (18 m/min, 0% grade, 60 min/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks). [RESULTS]: Body weight is significantly reduced in BIE compared with BIC. Neointiaml formation in BIC was significantly higher than SO, but it was significantly recovered in BIE compared with BIC. Endothelial-dependent relaxation in BIC was significantly lower than SO, but it was significantly recovered in BIE compared with BIC and expression of FOXO1 and FOXO3a also were significantly increased BIE compared with BIC. [CONCLUSION]: These data suggest that endurance exercise inhibits neointimal formation and endothelial-dependent relaxation via FOXO expression in balloon-induce atherosclerosis rat model.