Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
07:32
Assessment of Vascular Regeneration in the CNS Using the Mouse Retina
Published on: June 23, 2014
14.9K
Protective Effect of Exercise Training Against Age-induced Cerebral Microvascular Rarefaction: VEGF/Flk-1/PI3K/Akt
Sheepsumon Viboolvorakul1, Decha Buranajitpirom2, Suthiluk Patumraj3
1Physiology Unit, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand; sheepsumon.v@rsu.ac.th.
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Exercise training combats age-related brain microvascular loss by enhancing blood flow and vessel density. Swimming increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, promoting brain health in aging rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Age-related decline in cerebral microvasculature impairs brain function.
- Reduced angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) contribute to this decline.
- Exercise is known to benefit brain health, but mechanisms in aging are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate exercise's impact on aging brain microvessel density.
- To assess exercise effects on cerebral tissue perfusion (CTP).
- To explore exercise's influence on VEGF-mediated angiogenic signaling.
Main Methods:
- Male rats were grouped into age-matched control, sedentary control, and exercise-trained (swimming).
- Cerebral tissue perfusion (CTP) was measured in vivo.
- Immunohistochemistry for GLUT1 and immunoassays for VEGF angiogenic proteins were performed.
Main Results:
- Sedentary aging reduced microvessel density and CTP.
- Exercise training significantly increased microvessel density and CTP.
- Exercise elevated VEGF angiogenic proteins and GLUT1, indicating restored endothelial function.
Conclusions:
- Swimming exercise may prevent age-related cerebral microvascular loss via VEGF signaling.
- Exercise restores structural and metabolic endothelial function in the aging brain.
- Increased GLUT1 suggests improved endothelial metabolic health post-exercise.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
Overview
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...