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Exercise increases mRNA levels for adhesion molecules N-CAM and L1 correlating with BDNF response
Matylda Macias1, Susanne Fehr, Anna Dwornik
1Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitat Hamburg, Martinstrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Neuroreport
|December 25, 2002
Summary
Long-term moderate exercise significantly increases neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM in the adult rat spinal cord. This suggests exercise promotes spinal network remodeling through molecules vital for synaptic plasticity and synapse formation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Moderate locomotor exercise up-regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB levels in the adult rat spinal cord.
- Cell adhesion molecules, such as N-CAM and L1, play roles in neural development and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of long-term moderate locomotor exercise on the expression of N-CAM and L1 in the adult rat spinal cord.
- To determine if exercise-induced changes in N-CAM and L1 correlate with BDNF expression.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed to quantify mRNA levels of N-CAM, L1, BDNF, and TrkB in the lumbar spinal cord of adult rats.
- Rats underwent long-term moderate locomotor exercise protocols.
Main Results:
- Exercise significantly increased N-CAM mRNA levels in the lumbar spinal gray matter, nearly doubling the signal.
- L1 mRNA expression showed a less consistent increase with exercise.
- BDNF mRNA levels were elevated in ventral horn cells and white matter following exercise.
- A slight increase in N-CAM mRNA was also observed in the white matter.
Conclusions:
- Exercise-induced spinal network rearrangements involve N-CAM, L1, and BDNF.
- These molecules are crucial for synaptic plasticity and synapse formation, suggesting exercise promotes neural adaptation.
- Moderate exercise may enhance spinal cord repair and function through modulation of cell adhesion molecules and neurotrophic factors.