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Exercise ameliorates depression-like behavior and increases hippocampal BDNF level in ovariectomized rats
Jianqiang Lu1, Yongjun Xu2, Weiwu Hu2
1School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China.
Neuroscience Letters
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Exercise may alleviate depression-like behaviors linked to estrogen deficiency. This study found exercise increased estrogen levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for exercise in managing mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Estrogen deficiency is linked to depression-like behaviors.
- Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is associated with these behaviors.
- The role of exercise in mitigating these effects requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if exercise can improve depression-like behavior in estrogen-deficient rats.
- To investigate the impact of exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and its receptor (TrkB) in the hippocampus and PFC.
- To explore the relationship between estrogen levels, BDNF, and depression-like behavior.
Main Methods:
- Ovariectomy (OVX) was performed on rats to induce estrogen deficiency.
- Rats were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) or subjected to an exercise regimen.
- Depression-like behaviors, serum E2 levels, and BDNF/TrkB expression in the hippocampus and PFC were assessed.
Main Results:
- OVX increased depression-like behavior and decreased hippocampal BDNF levels.
- E2 treatment and exercise both ameliorated depression-like behavior in OVX rats.
- Exercise increased serum E2 levels and hippocampal BDNF levels in OVX rats.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen (E2) appears to maintain BDNF levels in the hippocampus, thereby alleviating depression-like behavior.
- Exercise ameliorates depression-like behavior in estrogen-deficient rats, partly by increasing serum E2 levels.
- These findings suggest exercise as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for depression associated with estrogen deficiency.
