bims-empneu Biomed News
on Exercise and Molecular Pathways Involved in Neuroprotection
Issue of 2021–05–30
seven papers selected by
Navabeh Zare-Kookandeh, Victoria University



  1. J Mol Neurosci. 2021 May 26.
      A decline of estrogen level leads to spatial learning and memory impairments, which mediated by hippocampus and cortex. Accumulating evidences demonstrated that aerobic exercise improved memory of postmenopausal women and ovariectomized (OVX) mice. However, the molecular mechanisms for this protection of exercise are not completely clear. Accordingly, the present study was designed to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on the dendritic morphology in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, as well as the BNDF-mTOR signaling pathway of OVX mice. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 10/group): sham-operated (SHAM/CON), sham-operated with 8-week treadmill exercise (SHAM/EX), ovariectomized operated (OVX/CON), and ovariectomized operated with exercise (OVX/EX). Aerobic exercise improved the impairment of dendritic morphology significantly induced by OVX that was tested by Golgi staining, and it also upregulated the synaptic plasticity-related protein expression of PSD95 and GluR1 as well as activated BDNF-mTOR signaling pathway in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In conclusion, aerobic exercise reversed the change of dendritic morphology and increased the synaptic plasticity-related protein expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of OVX mice. The positive effects induced by exercise might be mediated through the BDNF-mTOR signaling pathway.
    Keywords:  Aerobic exercise; Cerebral cortex; Golgi staining; Hippocampus; OVX mice
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-021-01848-0
  2. Sci Rep. 2021 May 27. 11(1): 11092
      The aim of the study was the detection of TRP, kynurenine (KYN), and kynurenic acid (KYNA) in human sweat, and determining whether physical activity affects their content in this secrete. Two different methods were used simultaneously-collection of sweat by means of an absorption pad from the inter scapular region, and collection of a drop of sweat from the region of the forehead. Quantitative determinations of TRP, KYN and KYNA were performed using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection. Determinations of sodium was carried out by the method of inductively coupled plasma collision/reaction cell ionization mass spectrophotometry. It was found that physical exercises evoked a decrease in the amount of KYN, and an increase in the amount of KYNA in sweat recorded on day 14, but not on day 28 of training. It appears that physical exercises result in a long-term increase in the kynurenine transaminase activity responsible for the formation of KYNA from KYN. Based on this results, it can be suggested that measurement of TRP, KYN and KYNA in sweat may have diagnostic potential and may help to establish an exercise regime appropriate for the age, gender and health status of rehabilitation patients.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90616-6
  3. Clin Interv Aging. 2021 ;16 811-821
       Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Most studies have focused on dynamic resistance exercises for preventing muscular decline and maintaining the muscle strength of older individuals. However, this training mode is impractical for older people with osteoarthritis and a limited range of motion. The static strength training mode is more suitable for older people. Therefore, a determination of the effect and mechanism of static strength training on sarcopenia is critical.
    Methods: In this study, we developed a training device designed to collect training data and evaluate the effects of static training on the upper limbs of rats. The expression of PGC-1α was locally blocked by injecting a siRNA at the midpoint of the biceps to determine whether PGC-1α signal transduction participates in the effects of high-intensity interval static training on muscle strength. Then, the rat's motor capacity was measured after static strength training. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were applied to determine PGC-1α/FNDC5/UCP1 expression levels in the muscle and adipose tissue. The serum irisin level was also detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
    Results: Increased levels of serum irisin and local expression of FNDC5, PGC-1α, and UCP1 were observed in the biceps brachii and surrounding fatty tissue after static strength training. Static strength training showed an advantage in reducing body weight and white fat accumulation while increasing the muscle fiber volume, which resulted in a longer training time and shorter rest time.
    Conclusion: Overall, these results indicated that high-intensity interval static training prevents skeletal muscle atrophy and improves the motor function of aged rats through the PGC-1α/FNDC5/UCP1 signaling pathway.
    Keywords:  FNDC5; PGC-1α; muscle function; sarcopenia; static strength training
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S308893
  4. eNeuro. 2021 May 24. pii: ENEURO.0414-20.2021. [Epub ahead of print]
      Restoration of lost function following a nervous system injury is limited in adulthood as the regenerative capacity of nervous system declines with age. Pharmacological approaches have not been very successful in alleviating the consequences of nervous system injury. On the contrary, physical activity and rehabilitation interventions are often beneficial to improve the health conditions in the patients with neuronal injuries. Using touch neuron circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the role of physical exercise in the improvement of functional restoration after axotomy. We found that a swimming session of 90 minutes following the axotomy of Posterior Lateral Microtubule (PLM) neuron can improve functional recovery in larval and adult stage animals. In older age, multiple exercise sessions were required to enhance the functional recovery. Genetic analysis of axon regeneration mutants showed that exercise-mediated enhancement of functional recovery depends on the ability of axon to regenerate. Exercise promotes early initiation of regrowth, self-fusion of proximal and distal ends, as well as post-regrowth enhancement of function. We further found that the swimming exercise promotes axon regeneration through the activity of cellular energy sensor AAK-2/AMPK in both muscle and neuron. Our study established a paradigm where systemic effects of exercise on functional regeneration could be addressed at the single neuron level.Significance StatementAccelerating axonal regeneration and subsequent functional restoration is a major challenge to the people with nervous system injury. Research on rodents and humans suggests that rehabilitation therapy helps regain the lost function after neuronal injury. The nematode C. elegans provides an advantage to investigate the role of exercise in facilitating the axonal regeneration at the level of single neuron. Our study shows that swimming exercise promotes functional restoration via structural and functional changes in injured mechanosensory neuron. The benefit of exercise in regeneration depends on the metabolic energy sensor AAK-2/AMPK. This study provides a molecular perspective to exercise-mediated enhancement of axon regeneration.
    Keywords:  AAK-2; Axon Regeneration; Axotomy; C. elegans; PLM neuron; Swimming Exercise
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0414-20.2021
  5. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2021 May-Jun;11(3):11(3): 302-313
       Objective: Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. Considering the evidence on the effect of Cinnamomum on mood disorders, this study investigatedthe effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum (HEC) in an animal model of depression.
    Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male rats were selected and divided into four groups (n=8) including: control, depressed, and depressed treated with200 and 400 mg/kg HEC. Depression induction protocol was conducted in all groups except for the control group. Sucrose preference test (SPT) and forced swimming test (FST) were done to analyze the depression score. After four weeks, the animals brain cortex was removed and BDNF protein and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) gene expression levels were determined by ELISA and Real Time PCR, respectively.
    Results: The results of this study showed that 400 mg/kg of HEC increased the tendency to drink the sucrose solution. Furthermore, immobility time significantly increased in the depressed group compared to the control group while it was attenuated by administration of 400 mg/kg extract on the 28th day versus the depressed group. Also the extract at both doses increased swimming time compared to the depressed group. In addition, an increase in the BDNF protein and TrkB gene expression levels was observed in the prefrontal cortex of the treatment groups.
    Conclusion: We found that HEC ameliorated depression symptoms in rats and these effects were probably due to an increase in BDNF proteins and its receptor, TrkB, gene expressions in the prefrontal cortex.
    Keywords:  Depression; Gene expression; Hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum; Mood disorders; Receptor tyrosine kinases
  6. Sleep Breath. 2021 May 27.
       PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on both sleep and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with depression.
    METHODS: Using a single pre- and post-test study design with no control group, 82 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders underwent HIIT comprising a total of 24 15-min sessions, three times per week for 8 weeks. Depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated using the Beck depression inventory-II, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in the form of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max), respectively.
    RESULTS: All 82 patients completed the intervention. HIIT training was associated with significant improvements in BDI-II score (diff =  - 1.57 [95% CI - 2.40 to - 0.73], P = 0.001), PSQI score (diff =  - 1.20 [95% CI - 2.10 to - 0.32], P = 0.008), and CPET VO2 max (diff = 0.95 [95% CI 0.62-1.28], P = 0.001). Effect size calculations revealed that the greatest improvement occurred in CPET VO2 max (Cohen's d = 0.64) and that improvements in the BDI-II and PSQI scores were somewhat smaller in magnitude (Cohen's d =  - 0.41 and - 0.30, respectively). Sleep quality improvements were observed in sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and the use of sleep-promoting medications (Cohen's d = 0.18, 0.19, and 0.25, respectively). Change in cardiorespiratory fitness successfully predicted change in sleep quality but not in depressive symptoms. Adverse effects were limited to minor injuries which did not interfere with completion of training.
    CONCLUSIONS: HIIT training delivered over 8 weeks was associated with improvements in depression symptoms, sleep quality, and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with depressive disorders.
    Keywords:  Adjustment disorders; Aerobic exercises; Cardiovascular exercises; Interval training; Mood; Sprint interval training
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-021-02388-y
  7. Muscle Nerve. 2021 May 25.
       INTRODUCTION: Clinically, the chemotherapeutic agent oxaliplatin can cause peripheral neuropathy, impaired balance, and muscle wastage. Using a preclinical model, we investigated whether exercise intervention improved these adverse conditions.
    METHODS: Mice were chronically treated with oxaliplatin alone or in conjunction with exercise. Behavioural studies including mechanical allodynia, rotarod, open field and grip strength tests were performed. Following euthanasia, multiple organs and four different muscle types were dissected and weighed. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscle fibres in the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed and gene expression analysis performed on forelimb triceps muscle.
    RESULTS: Oxaliplatin treated mice displayed reduced weight gain, mechanical allodynia, and exploratory behaviour deficits that were not significantly improved by exercise. Oxaliplatin treated exercised mice showed modest evidence of reduced muscle wastage compared to mice treated with oxaliplatin alone, and exercised mice demonstrated evidence of a mild increase in CSA of muscle fibres.
    DISCUSSION: Exercise intervention did not improve signs of peripheral neuropathy but moderately reduced the negative impact of oxaliplatin chemotherapy related to muscle morphology suggesting the potential for exploring the impact of exercise on reducing oxaliplatin-induced neuromuscular toxicity in cancer patients.
    Keywords:  Exercise; Muscle wasting; Neuromuscular; Oxaliplatin; Peripheral neuropathy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.27329