Treadmill exercise improves cerebral ischemia injury by regulating microglia polarization via downregulation of MMP12

Our data demonstrate that treadmill exercise could improve the inflammatory microenvironment in the brain after ischemic stroke, which may be caused by inhibition of MMP12 expression. MMP12 suppression in primary microglia could remodel microglia immune functions. In summary, this study may provide novel insights into the immune mechanism of exercise training for stroke and suggests potential targets for therapeutic approaches.