Journal of

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of six weeks of endurance training and aloe vera consumption on COX-2 and MMP-9 levels in with breast cancer.

Methods: This is an experimental study. 35 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control (healthy), control (cancer), training (cancer), aloe vera (cancer) and aloe vera + training (cancer). Induction of breast cancer tumors were done in mice by implantation  method. The training groups performed a swimming endurance training for 6 weeks, Aloe Vera group consumed Aloe Vera for 6 weeks to the amount of 300 mg/kg of body weight via intraperiotoneal injection and the control group were kept in cages for 6 weeks. Sampling was performed 48 hours after the last training session. To determine the changes between the groups, one way ANOVA was used and if the changes were meaningful the Tukey's test was used.

Results: The data analysis showed that six weeks consumption of Aloe Vera extract made a significant decrease in the level of cyclooxygenase-2 in mice with breast cancer. Also, a significant reduction in the amount of extract group (Cancer) compared to the controls (cancer) was observed. There was found a meaningful decrease on the matrixmetalloproteinase values in the endurance group and consumer groups of  Aloe Vera extract in mice with breast cancer after 6 weeks of training. In addition, significant reduction in Matrix metalloproteinase levels in the training group (cancer) and extract group (Cancer) compared to the controls (cancer) was observed.

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the induction of the cancerous tissue into the mice caused increased levels of COX-2 and MMP-9 values. This increasing is the early symptoms of breast cancer. It also seems that endurance training and Alovera extract can reduce the levels of COX-2 and MMP-9.