Effects of Swimming Exercise and Protein Intake on Growth Factors and Stress Hormones in Mice

This study investigates the combined effects of protein intake and swimming exercise on the expression of key growth factors (BDNF, IGF-1, VEGF) and stress-related hormones (CRHBP, cortisol, epinephrine). Six-week-old ICR male mice were divided into four groups based on dietary and exercise interventions: Group 1 received a protein diet with exercise (PEG), Group 2 received a protein diet without exercise (PNEG), Group 3 was provided with a proteinfree diet with exercise (NPEG) and Group 4 was given a protein-free diet without exercise (NPNEG). After a 6-week experimental period, BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF mRNA expression levels were analyzed using the Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) method. In contrast, the levels of stress-related hormones were measured through ELISA. The results reveal significant impacts of dietary protein intake and swimming exercise on the expression of these critical markers. BDNF and IGF-1 levels were highest in PEG, highlighting the beneficial effects of combining protein intake with swimming exercise. VEGF expression also showed significant differences, particularly between PNEG and NPNEG, and PNEG and PEG. CRHBP, cortisol, and epinephrine levels varied significantly across groups, especially between those subjected to different dietary and exercise regimens. This suggests a strong interaction between protein intake and exercise in modulating stress responses. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that protein intake and swimming exercise synergistically influence the expression of growth factors and stress hormones in mice. These findings provide valuable insights into the physiological adaptations to diet and exercise in mammals, which could inform future research on optimizing dietary and exercise interventions for health and stress management.