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Aerobic exercise improves spatial memory in a rat model of meningitis
Lailatuz Zaidah1,2, Soetrisno Soetrisno1,3, Bambang Purwanto1,4
1Doctoral Program of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Indonesia.
Abstract:
Infections of the nervous system, such as acute bacterial meningitis, pose serious health problems that require immediate intervention. In experimental animals, exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is used to induce meningitis. Aside from drug intervention to reduce inflammation in meningitis, aerobic exercise helps to maintain the regulatory mechanisms of brain homeostasis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), apoptosis, and spatial memory. A four-week experimental study was conducted using 18 rats, which were randomly divided into three different groups (six rats per group): healthy rats as negative controls (non-meningitis), a treatment group treated with antibiotic treatment (meningitis group), and a third group (aerobic exercise group) treated with antibiotics and aerobic exercise following LPS-induced meningitis. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and the comparison between groups used the Bonferroni post-hoc test. The results showed that aerobic exercise significantly reduced MDA (p<0.001), NF-κB (p=0.035), and apoptosis (p=0.020) while increasing the serum levels of IGF-1 (p<0.001), eNOS (p=0.011), and BDNF (p=0.001) levels. Improvement in spatial memory was significant in the aerobic exercise group (p<0.001). This study suggested that aerobic exercise could be a promising adjunct therapy in meningitis management strategies, particularly due to its effect on improving spatial memory. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings for clinical use.
Insights
Aerobic exercise reduces inflammation and cell death in meningitis models. This exercise improves spatial memory, suggesting it may aid meningitis recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a severe nervous system infection requiring prompt treatment.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in animal models mimics meningitis.
- Aerobic exercise offers anti-inflammatory benefits and supports brain homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on biochemical markers and spatial memory in an experimental meningitis model.
- To evaluate aerobic exercise's impact on malondialdehyde (MDA), NF-κB, IGF-1, eNOS, BDNF, apoptosis, and spatial memory.
Main Methods:
- An experimental study involving 18 rats divided into three groups: healthy controls, antibiotic-treated meningitis, and antibiotic plus aerobic exercise-treated meningitis.
- LPS was used to induce meningitis in the treatment groups.
- Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.
Main Results:
- Aerobic exercise significantly decreased MDA, NF-κB, and apoptosis.
- Aerobic exercise significantly increased serum levels of IGF-1, eNOS, and BDNF.
- Significant improvement in spatial memory was observed in the aerobic exercise group.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic exercise demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a meningitis model.
- Aerobic exercise may serve as a beneficial complementary therapy for meningitis, particularly for cognitive recovery.
- Further clinical research is warranted to validate these findings for human application.
