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Published on: February 2, 2019
Effects of Moderate-Intensity Interval Training on Gene Expression and Antioxidant Status in the Hippocampus of
Ahad Shafiei1, Amir Hossein Haghighi1, Roya Askari1
1Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.
Abstract:
Methamphetamine (METH) can cause neurotoxicity and increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) on gene expression and antioxidant status of the hippocampus of METH-dependent rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 8): saline, METH, MIIT, and METH + MIIT. METH was injected intraperitoneally at 5 mg/kg for 21 days. The MIIT(interval running) was performed on the treadmill 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Morris water maze test was performed to measure learning and memory. Then, the hippocampal tissue was extracted to evaluate changes in gene expression and biochemical enzymes. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA methods at p < 0.05. The results showed that METH injection significantly reduced spatial memory and antioxidant enzymes and increased the expression of α-synuclein (α-syn), cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), tau, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) genes compared to the saline group. MIIT significantly increased spatial memory and antioxidant enzymes. However, it reduced α-syn, CDK5, tau, and p-tau expression. Thus, this study depicted that methamphetamine-dependent rats with memory deficits have lower antioxidant enzyme levels and higher expression of α-syn, CDK5, tau, and p-tau genes, and that an 8-week MIIT may have beneficial effects on the memory impairments as well as antioxidant status and gene expression in male rats.
Insights
Moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) improved memory and antioxidant status in methamphetamine-dependent rats. Exercise reduced neurotoxic gene expression linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Methamphetamine (METH) use is linked to neurotoxicity and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- Hippocampal dysfunction, characterized by altered gene expression and reduced antioxidant status, is implicated in METH-induced neurotoxicity.
- Investigating interventions to mitigate METH's neurotoxic effects is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) on hippocampal gene expression and antioxidant status in METH-dependent rats.
- To assess the effects of MIIT on learning and memory deficits induced by METH exposure.
- To determine if MIIT can counteract METH-induced changes in key neurodegenerative markers.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: saline, METH, MIIT, and METH+MIIT.
- METH (5 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days; MIIT (treadmill running) was conducted 5 days/week for 8 weeks.
- Spatial memory was evaluated using the Morris water maze; hippocampal tissues were analyzed for gene expression (α-synuclein, CDK5, tau, p-tau) and antioxidant enzymes.
Main Results:
- METH exposure significantly impaired spatial memory, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and upregulated genes associated with neurodegeneration (α-synuclein, CDK5, tau, p-tau).
- MIIT intervention significantly improved spatial memory and boosted antioxidant enzyme levels in METH-exposed rats.
- Exercise training effectively downregulated the expression of α-synuclein, CDK5, tau, and p-tau genes in the METH+MIIT group compared to the METH-only group.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine dependence in rats is associated with cognitive deficits, oxidative stress, and increased expression of genes implicated in neurodegenerative disorders.
- Moderate-intensity interval training demonstrates neuroprotective potential by ameliorating METH-induced memory impairments and restoring antioxidant balance.
- MIIT may serve as a viable therapeutic strategy to mitigate the long-term neurological consequences of methamphetamine abuse.
