Effect of Aerobic Training in Combination with Stem Cells on Inflammatory Biomarker Levels in the Heart Tissueof Rat Model of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common and painful joint disease with unknown etiology. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Alfa tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are considered as the main factors regulating inflammation and pathology of knee osteoarthritis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and aerobic training on inflammatory biomarkers (IL-10, TNF- α) in the heart tissue of osteoarthritis rats.

 This experimental study included 42 male rats that were divided into two groups of osteoarthritis (n=35) and healthy control (n=7). Osteoarthritis was induced in rats by surgery. Subsequently, the rat models of osteoarthritis were randomly divided into five subgroups of seven per group, including control, saline, stem cell, aerobic training, and aerobic training+stem cell. The aerobic training program began with the speed of 15 m/min for 25 min five days a week for eight weeks. Moreover, the speed was increased to 22 m/min for 64 min in the eighth week. Inflammatory biomarkers, including TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines in the heart tissue of rats were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test.

The TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in saline and unhealthy control groups, compared to other groups, and IL-10 concentration was significantly lower in saline and unhealthy control groups, compared to other groups (P<0.001). Moreover, aerobic training and stem cell, in combination or alone, caused a significant increase in IL-10 concentration and a significant decrease in TNF-α concentration (P<0.001).

Osteoarthritis caused an increase in heart cell inflammation. Although stem cells have anti-inflammatory effects, they will be more effective when used in combination with aerobic training.