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Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
Exercise modulates the levels of growth inhibitor genes before and after multiple sclerosis
Seyed Houtan Shahidi1, Mohammad Reza Kordi2, Hamid Rajabi3
1Department of Exercise Physiology, Kish International Campus (International Branch of University of Tehran), University of Tehran, Kish Island, Iran; Department of Education, Faculty of Social Science, Umeå University, Sweden; Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Section of Sports Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), is commonly used for studies of human inflammatory demyelinating diseases and has been shown to be suitable for studying the effects of exercise on MS pathophysiology. The present study was conducted to determine the impact of forced swimming and voluntary running wheel exercises before and after the induction of EAE on expression of Nogo-A, NgR, and ROCK genes in the brain tissue. A total of 96 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, namely exercises before (EXb, n = 48) and after (EXa, n = 48) induction of EAE. Each group was divided into four subgroups: Forced Swimming + EAE (n = 12), Voluntary Running Wheel + EAE (n = 12), NoEX-EAE (n = 12), and Control group (n = 12). Animals performed either swimming exercise for 30 min per day or running wheel for one hour per day, five days per week for four weeks. Results of Luxal Fast Blue (LFB) staining demonstrated that the degree of demyelination was significantly less in the experimental exercised compared to NoEX-EAE groups (P < .05). Amazingly, both modes of exercise reduced the severity of MS symptoms in mice exposed to swimming and wheel running, evaluated as body weight, clinical scores, degree of demyelination, and gene expressions, regardless of whether the exercise was performed before or after EAE induction.
Insights
Exercise, including swimming and running, significantly reduces multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and demyelination in mice. Both pre- and post-disease induction exercise proved beneficial, impacting clinical scores and gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a key animal model for studying MS pathophysiology and therapeutic interventions.
- Exercise is increasingly recognized for its potential to modulate MS progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of forced swimming and voluntary running wheel exercises on MS markers.
- To analyze the effects of exercise timing (before vs. after EAE induction) on gene expression.
- To evaluate exercise's influence on demyelination and clinical symptoms in an EAE mouse model.
Main Methods:
- 96 C57BL/6 mice were divided into exercise (before/after EAE induction) and control groups.
- Exercise protocols included 30 minutes of daily swimming or 1 hour of daily running wheel activity for four weeks.
- Gene expression of Nogo-A, NgR, and ROCK, along with demyelination (Luxal Fast Blue staining), body weight, and clinical scores were assessed.
Main Results:
- Both forced swimming and voluntary running wheel exercises significantly reduced demyelination compared to non-exercised EAE mice.
- Exercise, regardless of timing (pre- or post-EAE induction), ameliorated MS symptoms, including body weight loss and clinical scores.
- Exercise modulated the expression of Nogo-A, NgR, and ROCK genes in brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- Both swimming and running wheel exercises are effective in mitigating MS-like pathology and symptoms in the EAE model.
- Exercise interventions show promise for managing MS, irrespective of their initiation relative to disease onset.
- These findings support the therapeutic potential of exercise in managing neurodegenerative conditions like MS.
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