Showing 13 results for Exercise
Dr. Seyed Zanyar Athari, Dr. Fereshteh Farajdokht, Prof. Dryoush Mohajeri, Dr. Mir Alireza Nourazar,
Volume 0, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors and physical activities have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative disorders. This study assessed the effect of physical activity (EXE) and Cerebrolysin (CBL), individually or in conjunction, in a hemiparkinsonian model (PD) caused by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The study utilized seventy-two male Wistar rats, which were distributed into six groups (n=12): Sham (received intra substantia nigra (SN) injection of normal saline), PD (underwent 6-OHDA (12.5 μg) injection into the left SN), PD+Levodopa (treated with levodopa; 12 mg/kg, gavage, for three weeks), PD+CBL (treated with intraperitoneal injection of CBL 2.5 ml/kg, for three weeks), PD+EXE (exercised 30 min/day for three weeks), and PD+CBL+EXE. Rotation with apomorphine and Murprogo’s test were assessed, 21 days after PD induction and after treatments. Ultimately, the levels of lipid peroxidation marker and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, α-synuclein protein expression, and histopathological changes of the SN were evaluated ipsilateral to the lesioned side. The results showed that CBL and exercise, alone or in combination, decreased ipsilateral apomorphine rotation and muscle rigidity in the PD animals. Moreover, these behavioral changes were associated with decreased malondialdehyde levels and α-synuclein protein levels, increased TAC level and GPx activity, as well as a greater neuronal count in the SN. Notably, the combination effects were greater than single therapy and levodopa treatment. Our findings indicated that the combination of exercise and CBL ameliorated 6-OHDA-induced motor impairments by attenuating oxidative stress and protein expression of α-synuclein, and preserving neurons in the SN.
Nahid Aboutaleb, Nabi Shamsaei, Hamid Rajabi, Mehdi Khaksari, Sohaila Erfani, Farnaz Nikbakht, Pezhman Motamedi, Ali Shahbazi,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Ischemia leads to loss of neurons by apoptosis in specific brain regions, especially in the hippocampus. The purpose of this study was investigating the effects of exercise preconditioning on expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in hippocampal CA1 neurons after induction of cerebral ischemia.
Methods: Male rats weighing 260-300 g were randomly allocated into three groups (sham, exercise, and ischemia). The rats in exercise group were trained to run on a treadmill 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Ischemia was induced by the occlusion of both common carotid arteries (CCAs) for 20 min. Levels of expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in CA1 area of hippocampus were determined by immunohistochemical staining .
Results: The number of active caspase-3-positive neurons in CA1 area were significantly increased in ischemia group, compared to sham-operated group (P<0.001), and exercise preconditioning significantly reduced the ischemia/reperfusion-induced caspase-3 activation, compared to the ischemia group (P<0.05). Also, results indicated a significant increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in ischemia group, compared to sham-operated group (P<0.001).
Discussion: This study indicated that exercise has a neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia when used as preconditioning stimuli.
Nabi Shamsaei, Soheila Erfani, Masoud Fereidoni, Ali Shahbazi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion causes physiological and biochemical changes in the neuronal cells that will eventually lead to cell damage. Evidence indicates that exercise reduces the ischemia and reperfusion-induced brain damages in animal models of stroke. In the present study, the effect of exercise preconditioning on brain edema and neurological movement disorders following the cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats was investigated.
Methods: Twenty-one adult male wistar rats (weighing 260-300 g) were randomly divided into three groups: sham operated, exercise plus ischemia, and ischemia group (7 rats per group). The rats in exercise group were trained to run on a treadmill 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Transient focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 23 hours. After 24 hours ischemia, movement disorders were tested by a special neurological examination. Also, cerebral edema was assessed by determining the brain water content.
Results: The results showed that pre-ischemic exercise significantly reduced brain edema (P<0.05). In addition, exercise preconditioning decreased the neurological movement disorders caused by brain ischemia and reperfusion (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Preconditioning by exercise had neuroprotective effects against brain ischemia and reperfusion-induced edema and movement disorders. Thus, it could be considered as a usefulstrategy for prevention of ischemic injuries, especially in people at risk.
Kobra Akhoundzadeh, Abedin Vakili, Hamid Reza Sameni,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (1-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Based on our previous findings, the treatment of stem cells alone or in combination with thyroid hormone (T3) and mild exercise could effectively reduce the risk of stroke damage in young mice. However, it is unclear whether this treatment is effective in aged or middle-aged mice. Therefore, this study designed to assess whether combination of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) with T3 and mild treadmill exercise can decrease stroke complications in middle-aged mice.
Methods: Under laser Doppler flowmetry monitoring, transient focal cerebral ischemia was produced by right Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for 45 min followed by 7 days of reperfusion in middle-aged mice. BMSCs (1×105) were injected into the right cerebral ventricle 24 h after MCAO, followed by daily injection of triiodothyronine (T3) (20 µg/100 g/d SC) and 6 days of running on a treadmill. Infarct size, neurological function, apoptotic cells and expression levels of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) were evaluated 1 week after stroke.
Results: Post-ischemic treatment with BMSCs or with T3 and or mild treadmill exercise alone or in combination did not significantly change neurological function, infarct size, and apoptotic cells 7 days after ischemia in middle-aged mice (P>0.05). However, the expression of GFAP significantly reduced after treatment with BMSCs and or T3 (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that post-stroke treatment BMSCs with exercise and thyroid hormone cannot reverse neuronal damage 7 days after ischemia in middle-aged mice. These findings further support that age is an important variable in stroke treatment
Leila Derafshpour, Ehsan Saboory, Abbas Ali Vafaei, Ali Rashidy-Pour, Shiva Roshan-Milani, Yosef Rasmi, Yosef Panahi, Hamidreza Sameni,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (3-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: The long-term adverse effects of transient thyroid function abnormalities at birth on intellectual development are proven. The effect of exercise increases in the presence of sex hormones. The current study aimed at investigating the possibility that a combination of sex hormones and exercise has synergistic effects on neural plasticity in Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism (TCH) rats.
Methods: To induce hypothyroidism in the mothers, Propylthiouracil (PTU) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) on the 6th day of gestation and continued until the 21st Postnatal Day. From Postnatal Day (PND) 28 to 47, the female and male pups received 17β-estradiol and testosterone, respectively. The mild treadmill exercise began 30 minutes after the sex hormones or vehicle administration. On PND 48, electrophysiological experiments were performed on brain slices.
Results: Increase of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) was observed in sedentary-non-hormone female rats of TCH group, compared with that of the control. The exercise enhanced LTP in control rats, but the hormones showed no significant effect. The effect of exercise and sex hormone was not significant in the TCH group. The combination of exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in TCH male rats, while the combination of exercise and estradiol or each of them individually did not produce such an effect on LTP in TCH female rats.
Conclusion: The study findings showed an increase in excitatory transmission despite the returning of thyroid hormone levels to normal range in TCH female rats. Also a combination treatment including exercise and testosterone enhanced LTP in male rats of TCH group, which was a gender-specific event.
Ali Khorjahani, Maghsoud Peeri, Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: According to evidence, Early-Life Stress (ELS), mood disorders, and medical comorbidities, i.e. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), are correlated; however, the direct contribution of ELS to IBS manifestations is less understood. The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of voluntary exercise on the mitochondrial dysfunction of the bowel fibroblasts, following the confirmation of anxiety behavior.
Methods: In this study, Postnatal Day (PND) rats underwent Maternal Separation (MS), as a valid animal model of the brain-gut axis dysfunction, in the days 2-14; three hours daily. On day 21, the study animals were divided into 4 groups, as follows: control, Running Wheel (RW) exercise, MS, and MS+RW groups. The study groups were housed in separate cages (4 rats per cage) until the onset of intervention. On day 60, the elevated plus-maze was used to assess anxiety-like behaviors; the level of oxidative stress biomarkers, i.e. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Glutathione (GSH) , as well as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) was measured to determine the gut mitochondrial function.
Results: Findings revealed that ELS affected the gut energy metabolism in the studied rats; the negative effects of MS on anxiety and the gut mitochondrial dysfunction decreased via RW exercise during adolescence.
Conclusion: Overall, anxiety behaviors and ROS production, leading to increased GSH and ATP levels, improved after RW exercise; this significantly impacts the function of colon secretory mitochondria. According to the positive effects of RW exercise on mitochondrial dysfunction in an ELS animal model, a potential relationship was found between the brain and gut in the study rats.
Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh, Khadijeh Esmaeilpour, Sina Motamedy, Fatemeh Mohtashami Borzadaranb, Vahid Sheibani,
Volume 11, Issue 5 (9-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies demonstrated that forced and voluntary exercise had ameliorative effects on behavioral tasks followed by Sleep Deprivation (SD) in intact female rats. The main goal of this research was evaluating the impact of voluntary exercise on cognitive functions while SD and ovariectomization is induced in female wistar rats.
Methods: The rats were anesthesized combining dosage of ketamine and xylazine. Then, both ovaries were eliminated and 3 weeks after surgery the animals entered the study. The exercise protocol took 4 weeks of voluntary exercise in a wheel which was connected to home cage. For inducing a 72 hours deprivation the multiple platforms was applied. The cognitive functions were studied by exploiting the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Novel object recognition tests. Anxiety was evaluated by open field test and corticostrone measurement was carried out by ELISA method. One-way and two-way ANOVA and repeated measures were utilized for data analysis and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: We observed significant spatial and recognition learning and memory impairments in OVX sleep-deprived rats compared to the control group and voluntary exercise alleviated the SD-induced learning and memory defects.
Conclusion: We concluded that voluntary exercise can improve cognitive impairments followed by SD in OVX female rats.
Homa Rasoolijazi, Sattar Norouzi Ofogh, Shima Ababzadeh, Mehdi Mehdizadeh, Fatemeh Shabkhiz,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (5-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: A sequence of time-dependent changes can affect the brain’s functional capacity.
This study aimed at investigating the effects of Forced Aerobic Exercise (FAE) versus the Rosemary Extract (RE) on the learning abilities and oxidative stress modulation in rats.
Methods: Young and old rats received daily FAE and RE for 3 months. Using the Passive Avoidance (PA) test, we evaluated the learning and memory of the rats by Step-Through Latency (STL) score. We measured the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CATA), Malondialdehyde (MDA) enzymes levels, and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in the hippocampus
Results: FAE could significantly increase the STL score (P<0.001) among old rats similar to the rosemary extract consumption. The SOD, GPx, and CATA enzyme activities and the level of TAC significantly increased by the treatments (exercise: P<0.001 for SOD and TAC and P<0.05 for CATA, exercise/rosemary: P<0.001 for all enzymes, and rosemary: P<0.01 for SOD and TAC). Furthermore, the MDA level significantly decreased by the treatments (exercise and exercise/rosemary: P<0.001, rosemary: P<0.01). The partial Pearson test revealed the significant positive correlations between the score of STL (day 2) with the SOD (P<0.01) and TAC (P<0.05) levels and negative correlations between the MDA level and STL score in both days (P<0.05 for the first day and P<0.001 for the second day).
Conclusion: Similar to the rosemary extract, FAE could increase the working memory and antioxidants activity in old rats in 3 months.
Gholamhasan Jafarzadeh, Saeid Shakerian, Yaghoob Farbood, Mohsen Ghanbarzadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (5-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: This study evaluates the effects of 8 weeks of resistance exercises on the expression of neurotrophins and Trk receptors in Alzheimer model male Wistar rats.
Methods: For this purpose, 32 mature male Wistar rats with a mean weight of 230-280 g were chosen and divided into Alzheimer and Sham groups. The rats in the sham group received normal saline, while the ones in the Alzheimer group received streptomycin via intraventricular injection. These rats were then divided into the following four subgroups: 1) resting sham, 2) exercising sham, 3) resting Alzheimer, and 4) exercising Alzheimer. The two exercising rat subgroups exercised three times a week for 8 weeks. A weight was attached to their tails, and they had to carry it on a 26-step ladder in each cycle. Resting groups were handled every day to minimize the effects of stress. At the end of the eighth week and 24 hours after the last exercise session (to avoid the effects of the last exercise session), the rats were put under deep anesthesia and beheaded. Hippocampus tissues were precisely extracted, and samples were sent to the laboratory for molecular and cellular tests. To investigate gene expression, quantitative RT-PCR was used.
Results: The tests for comparing the mean values of BDNF, NT3, NGF, TrkA, and TrkB in two rat groups showed that with error levels of less than 5%, there is a significant difference in the amounts of BDNF, NT3, NGF, TrkA, and TrkB between exercising rats and resting ones. These amounts were much higher in the exercising Alzheimer rats group.
Conclusion: Eight weeks of resistance exercises increased the expression of BDNF, NT3, and NGF genes and TrkA and TrkB receptors in Alzheimer model Wistar rats.
Donya Sajedi, Ramin Shabani, Alireza Elmieh,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Extensive human and animal research shows that exercise has beneficial effects on multiple clinical outcomes for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). This research was conducted to examine the effect of aerobic exercise with probiotic consumption on the myelination of nerve fibers in a cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model of MS.
Methods: Rats exposed to cuprizone (CPZ) for 13 weeks were subjected to motor and balance tests in week 5. They (5 people in each group) were assigned to five groups of control (C), MS, MS with exercise (MS+Exe), MS with probiotic (MS+Pro), and MS with probiotic and exercise (MS+Pro+Exe) randomly. The exercise groups conducted aerobic exercises 5 days a week for 60 days. The rats received probiotics by gavage. Performance and balance tests were repeated when the eight-week protocol of exercise and probiotic consumption was finished. One day after these interventions, they were sacrificed to undergo biochemical and molecular biology assays.
Results: The results showed that Myelin basic protein (MBP) was increased in the MS+Pro+Exe, MS+Pro, and MS+Exe compared to the MS group (P<0.05).
The nestin mRNA showed an increase in MS+Pro+Exe, MS+Exe, and MS+Pro groups compared to the MS group, but this increase was not significant in MS+Pro+Exe and MS+Exe groups compared to the control and MS groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, lifestyle interventions can effectively alleviate demyelinating-inflammatory processes that happen in the brains of MS patients.
Farzaneh Zeynali, Mohammad Reza Raoufy, Reza Gharakhanlou,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (5-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The positive effects of exercise on spatial memory and learning have been demonstrated in research. The olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) respond to mechanical stimulation induced by nasal airflow which is associated with airflow intensity. Accordingly, nasal breathing can modulate brain oscillations in nonolfactory areas, and respiration-entrained oscillations aid the improvement of cognitive abilities. Given that aerobic exercise increases the rate of respiration and intensity of nasal airflow, this study evaluates the role of OSNs in mediating the effects of aerobic exercise on memory.
Methods: We examined spatial memory following exercise in animal models of olfactory sensory neuron impairment (methimazole injection 300 mg/kg/week).
Results: Destroying OSNs significantly reduces olfactory bulb (OB) activity at delta and theta frequency bands as well as its coupling to respiration. More importantly, it abolished the positive effect of exercise on spatial memory (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The OB activity is one of the probable mechanisms for improving spatial memory following exercise.
Taha Ghantabpour, Mansoureh Soleimani, Reza Ahadi, Fariba Karimzadeh, Alireza Moradi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures associated with cognitive, mental, and social issues. Exercise has been well known as a non-pharmacological or complementary remedy that reduces the effective dose and side effects of pharmacological therapies. Orexin signaling pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have an essential role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. In this study, we investigated the effect of exercise on the modulation of the orexin-A (OXA) and BDNF signaling pathways in epileptic rats.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: Normal saline (NS), seizure, physical activity (PA), PA + pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), and PA-PTZ. Assessment of seizure behaviors was done 30 min after each PTZ injection in the seizure, PA+PTZ, and PA-PTZ groups. Seizure behavior score (SBS) was monitored in seizure, PA+PTZ, and PA-PTZ. The expression of the OXA and BDNF in the CA1, CA3, and cortex was assayed by immunohistochemistry staining. The correlations between the OXA and BDNF were evaluated in the study groups.
Results: SBC was reduced in the epileptic rats that had exercised. Seizure and PA increased the OXA expression in the seizure and PA groups. Compared to the seizure group, the OXA expression decreased in the CA1 and CA3 of the PA+PTZ, PA-PTZ, and cortex of the PA+PTZ group. OXA was up-expressed in the PA-PTZ group compared to the PA+PTZ group. Seizure decreased the BDNF expression in the seizure group compared to the NS group. PA elevated the BDNF expression in the CA1, CA3, and cortex of the PA group. BDNF was up-expressed in the cortex of the PA+PTZ and the CA1, CA3, and cortex of PA-PTZ. BDNF expression increased in the CA1 and CA3 of the PA-PTZ compared to the PA+PTZ group. There was a significant correlation between the OXA and BDNF expression in the CA1, CA3, and cortex of the NS and seizure groups and the CA1 and cortex of the PA group.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that PA had an amelioration effect on the severity of the seizure. Our findings suggest that the effect of PA on seizure might not arise from the interaction of the OXA and BDNF expression in epileptic rats.
Atefeh Fadaei, Mahmoud Najafi, Hossein Miladi-Gorji, Mohammad Ali Tajik-Mansoury, Mohammad Afkar,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we investigated whether neurofeedback (NFB) training and swimming exercise would decrease the electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and visual image-induced craving in methamphetamine (METH)-dependent patients.
Methods: This research was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 32 METH-dependent patients were allocated randomly to four groups: Control, NFB, swim, and NFB/swim. The EEG and visual image-induced craving were recorded before and after the intervention in all four groups.
Results: The NFB, swim, and NFB/swim groups showed significantly lower absolute power for 4 frequency bands. Also, the swim and NFB/swim groups had less and greater relative power in the alpha and delta bands, respectively. In addition, the NFB/swim group exhibited an increase in delta/alpha power ratio compared to the control and the NFB groups. Also, the NFB/swim group showed a significant reduction in visual image-induced craving score compared to the control, swim, and NFB groups.
Conclusion: This study provides novel evidence that combined NFB training and swimming exercise during METH abstinence was effective in normalizing METH-induced EEG changes, which may help patients manage their cravings.
