The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of exercise intervention and load difference on age-related lung tissue. Specifically, the morphological changes of the alveolar and the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the alveoli were observed. Four months old male Wistar rats were used as the control group (n = 7), the normal rearing group (n = 7) in the following 3 months, the low load exercise group (n = 7), and the high load exercise group (n = 7). The alveolar tissue was visualized using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining. Type II epithelial cells were more common in the normal rearing group, and blood cells and pulmonary capillaries were more frequently observed in the high-load exercise group. TNF-α was present in the interstitial tissue while the appearance of alveolar macrophages was negative in the low-load and high-load exercise groups compared to the normal group. On the other hand, VEGF was positive for stromal tissue in the control and high-load exercise group, but negative in the normal rearing and low-load exercise groups. It was suggested that exercise intervention, especially high load exercises, affects epithelial cell distribution and TNF-α and VEGF expression.
