The Protective Effects of the Combination of Vitamin E and Swimming Exercise on Memory Impairment Induced by Exposure to Waterpipe Smoke

BACKGROUND

Waterpipe smoking (WP) exposure involves a negative health impact, including memory deficit, which is attributed to the elevation of oxidative stress. Vitamin E (VitE) in combination with swimming exercise exerts protective effects that prevent memory impairment. In the current study, the modulation of WP-induced memory impairment by the combined effect of VitE and swimming exercise (SE) was investigated.

METHODS

Animals were exposed to WP one hour/day, five days per week for four weeks. Simultaneously, VitE (100 mg/kg, six days/week for four weeks) was administered via oral gavage, and the rats were made to swim one hour/day, five days/week for four weeks. Changes in memory were evaluated using radial arm water maze (RAWM), and oxidative stress biomarkers were examined in the hippocampus.

RESULTS

WP exposure induced short-term/long-term memory impairment (p<0.05). This impairment was prevented by a combination of VitE with SE (p<0.05). Additionally, this combination normalized the hippocampal catalase, GPx, and GSH/GSSG ratios that were modulated by WP (p<0.05). The combination further reduced TBARs levels below those of the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

WP-induced memory impairments were prevented by the combination of VitE with SE. This could be attributed to preserving the hippocampal oxidative mechanism by combining VitE and SE during WP exposure.

VH-4-A Bioactive Peptide from Soybean and Exercise Training Constrict Hypertension in Rats through Activating Cell Survival and AMPKα1, Sirt1, PGC1α, and FoX3α

Hypertension is a chronic disease related to age, which affects tens of millions of people around the world. It is an important risk factor that causes myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and kidney damage. Bioactive peptide VHVV (VH-4) from soybean has shown several biological activities. Physical exercise is a cornerstone of non-pharmacologic treatment for hypertension and has established itself as an effective and complementary strategy for managing hypertension. The present study evaluates the efficacy of VH-4 supplement and swimming exercise training in preventing hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR animals were treated with VH-4 (25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal administration) and swimming exercise (1 h daily) for eight weeks, and the hemodynamic parameters, histology, and cell survival pathway protein expression were examined. In SHR rats, increased heart weight, blood pressure, and histological aberrations were observed. Cell survival protein p-PI3K and p-AKT and antiapoptosis proteins Bcl2 and Bcl-XL expression decreased in SHR animals. SIRT1 and FOXO3 were decreased in hypertensive rats. Both bioactive peptide VH-4 treatment and swimming exercise training in hypertensive rats increased the cell survival proteins p-PI3K and p-AKT and AMPKα1, Sirt1, PGC1α, and FoX3α proteins. Soy peptide VH-4, along with exercise, acts synergistically and prevents hypertension by activating cell survival and AMPKα1, Sirt1, PGC1α, and FoX3α proteins.

Swimming exercise is a promising early intervention for autism-like behavior in Shank3 deletion rats

INTRODUCTION

SHANK3 is an important excitatory postsynaptic scaffold protein, and its mutations lead to genetic cause of neurodevelopmental diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Philan McDermid syndrome (PMS), and intellectual disability (ID). Early prevention and treatment are important for Shank3 gene mutation disease. Swimming has been proven to have a positive effect on neurodegenerative diseases.

METHODS

Shank3 gene exon 11-21 knockout rats were intervened by a 40 min/day, 5 day/week for 8-week protocol. After the intervention, the rats were tested to behavioral measures such as learning and memory, and the volume and H-spectrum of the brain were measured using MRI; hippocampal dendritic spines were measured using Golgi staining and laser confocal.

RESULTS

The results showed that Shank3-deficient rats had significant deficits in social memory, object recognition, and water maze learning decreased hippocampal volume and number of neurons, and lower levels of related scaffold proteins and receptor proteins were found in Shank3-deficient rats.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that early swimming exercise has a positive effect on Shank3 gene-deficient rats, which provides a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and recovery of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Swimming Exercise Alleviates Endothelial Mitochondrial Fragmentation via Inhibiting Dynamin-Related Protein-1 to Improve Vascular Function in Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Regular exercise has been recommended clinically for all individuals to protect against hypertension but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. We recently found a significant mitochondrial fragmentation in the vascular endothelium of hypertensive human subjects. In this study, we investigated whether exercise could restore endothelial mitochondrial dynamics and thus improve vascular function in hypertension.

METHODS

Vascular endothelial mitochondrial morphological alterations were examined in patients with hypertension and hypertensive animal models. Furthermore, swimming exercise-induced endothelial mitochondrial dynamics and vascular function changes were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

RESULTS

Mitochondrial fragmentation with an elevated mitochondrial fission mediator Drp1 (dynamin-related protein-1) was observed in the mesenteric artery endothelium from hypertensive patients. A similar mitochondrial fragmentation with increased Drp1 expression were exhibited in the aortic endothelium of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice and SHRs. Interestingly, swimming exercise significantly reduced vascular Drp1 expression and alleviated endothelial mitochondrial fragmentation, thus improving blood pressure in SHRs. In cultured endothelial cells, angiotensin II exposure induced Drp1 upregulation, mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction, and reduced nitric oxide production, which was blunted by Drp1 genetic reduction or its inhibitor Mdivi-1. Mdivi-1 administration also ameliorated endothelial mitochondrial fragmentation, vascular dysfunction and blood pressure elevation in SHRs while swimming exercise plus Mdivi-1 treatment provided no additional benefits, suggesting that Drp1 inhibition may partially contribute to swimming exercise-conferred anti-hypertensive effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that swimming exercise alleviates endothelial mitochondrial fragmentation via inhibiting Drp1, which may contribute to exercise-induced improvement of vascular function and blood pressure in hypertension.

[Effects of different swimming exercises on alcoholic fatty liver formation in mice]

Objective: To investigate the effects of 7-week swimming exercise with different loads on the improvement of liver lipid metabolism in mice with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and its relationship with the regulation of miR-34a/PPARα. Methods: Fifty male KM mice were randomly divided into control group (K, n=10) and alcoholic fatty liver group (AFLD, n=40). The AFLD model was constructed after feeding with 50% alcohol for 7 weeks with 1 d rest per week. After successful model construction, the mice were divided into a model group (M), a 30-min swimming exercise group (LE), a 60-min swimming exercise group (ME), and a 90-min loaded swimming exercise group (HE, 5% of body mass as tail lead load), with 10 mice in each group, for a total of 7 weeks of intervention. After completion, the serum and liver tissues were collected, the liver index, visceral fat ratio, hepatocyte injury indicators, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high/low density lipoprotein cholesterol (H/LDL-C) content were measured; HE staining was used to observe the changes in liver structure, Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of PPARα, FAS and TNF-α in liver tissues, and mRNA expression profiles were analyzed by sequencing After RT-PCR, the mRNA expressions of miR-34a, PPARα, FAS, TNF-α and CPT-1 were verified. Results: Compared with K group, the hepatic cord disorder, focal lipid vacuum, obvious lipid droplet vacuolation, abnormal ectopic nucleus were observed in AFLD group ; liver function was decreased significantly. Compared with the M group, the liver functions of the ME and HE groups were improved significantly, the serum levels of TG, TC and LDL-C were decreased, while the HDL-C level was increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the liver index and visceral fat ratio were decreased (P< 0.01 or P<0.05), the focal lipid droplet degeneration of hepatocytes was decreased, and the structure of the hepatic cord was clearer; and the ME group showed a more significant intervention effect. Compared with the M group, the expression levels of PPARα protein in the liver tissues of the LE, ME, and HE groups were increased, while the protein expression levels of FAS and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Based on Illumina high-throughput sequencing and mRNA differential expression analysis, there are 38 differentially expressed genes in the PPARα pathway, including 9 up-regulated genes and 29 down-regulated genes, which are involved in liver fatty acid oxidation, lipid metabolism, and apoptosis inhibition. Compared with group M, the gene levels of miR-34a, FAS, and TNF-α in LE, ME, and HE groups were decreased, and the gene levels of PPARα and CPT-1 were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion: Swimming with different loads can improve liver functions in AFLD mice, promote lipid droplet degradation, and regulate liver lipid metabolism. The mechanism may be related to the activation of miR-34a/PPARα, and the intervention effect of moderate-load swimming is better.

Gene Expression Profile Associated with Asmt Knockout-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors and Exercise Effects in Mouse Hypothalamus

Sleep disorder caused by abnormal circadian rhythm is one of the main symptoms and risk factors of depression. As a known hormone regulating circadian rhythms, melatonin (MT) is also namely N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (Asmt) is the key rate-limiting enzyme of MT synthesis and has been reportedly associated with depression. Although 50–90% of patients with depression have sleep disorders, there are no effective treatment ways in the clinic. Exercise can regulate circadian rhythm and play an important role in depression treatment. In the present study, we showed that Asmt knockout induced depression-like behaviors, which were ameliorated by swimming exercise. Moreover, swimming exercise increased serum levels of MT and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in Asmt knockout mice. In addition, the microarray data identified 10 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in KO mice compared with WT mice and 29 DEGs in KO mice after swimming exercise. Among the DEGs, the direction and magnitude of change in epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8-like 1 (Eps8l1) and phospholipase C-β 2 (Plcb2) were confirmed by qRT-PCR partly. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis showed that these DEGs were enriched significantly in the p53 signaling pathway, long-term depression and estrogen signaling pathway. In the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, membrane palmitoylated protein 1 (Mpp1) and p53-induced death domain protein 1 (Pidd1) were hub genes to participate in the pathological mechanisms of depression and exercise intervention. These findings may provide new targets for the treatment of depression.

Exercise Performance Upregulatory Effect of R-α-Lipoic Acid with γ-Cyclodextrin

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like substance that is an indispensable supporting factor for a large number of enzymes. Due to its optical activity, ALA has optical isomers RALA and SALA. The major role of RALA is in energy metabolism. However, RALA cannot be used as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical because it is sensitive to heat and acid conditions. Previous studies have shown that RALA complexed with γ-cyclodextrin (CD) has a higher antioxidant capacity than that of free RALA. The antioxidant enzyme system protects against intense exercise-induced oxidative damage and is related to the physical status of athletes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of CD/RALA complex supplementation on antioxidant activity and performance during high-intensity exercise. Twenty-four male C3H/HeSlc mice were divided into four groups (n = 6): swimming+distilled water administration (C), swimming+CD/RALA supplementation (CD/RALA), swimming+RALA suplementation (RALA), and swimming+CD supplementation (CD). Blood ammonia elevation due to exercise stress was repressed by CD/RALA supplementation. The oxidative stress in the kidney increased after exercise and was reduced by CD/RALA supplementation. Our findings suggest that CD/RALA supplementation may be useful for improving the exercise performance in athletes.

Effect of vanillic acid and exercise training on fatty liver and insulin resistance in rats: Possible role of fibroblast growth factor 21 and autophagy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been alarmingly increased with no lines of effective treatment. Vanillic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenol with promising therapeutic effects. Exercise is well known to be an effective tool against obesity and its consequences. Thus, we aim to study the effect of vanillic acid alone and along with exercise on fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet in a rat model and to investigate possible novel mechanisms involved in their action.

METHODS

In this study, 40 male rats were divided equally into five groups: control (standard chow diet), HFD (high-fat diet), HFD+VA (HFD+ vanillic acid (50 mg/kg/day orally), HFD+EX (HFD+ swimming exercise 5 days/week), HFD+VA+EX (HFD+ vanillic acid+ swimming exercise) for eight weeks.

RESULTS

Body mass, liver weight, liver enzymes, cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly decreased in the combined VA+EX group, with marked improvement in hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and consequently HOMA-IR index compared to the HFD group. These improvements were also reflected in the pathological view. VA and swimming, either solely or in combination, markedly increased hepatic and circulating fibroblast growth factor 21. Additionally, VA and swimming increased the immunohistochemical expression of the autophagosomal marker LC3 and decreased the expression of P62, which is selectively degraded during autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the hepatoprotective effect of VA and swimming exercise against fatty liver and the involvement of FGF21 and autophagy in their effect.

Swimming Exercise Promotes Post-injury Axon Regeneration and Functional Restoration through AMPK

Restoration of lost function following a nervous system injury is limited in adulthood as the regenerative capacity of nervous system declines with age. Pharmacological approaches have not been very successful in alleviating the consequences of nervous system injury. On the contrary, physical activity and rehabilitation interventions are often beneficial to improve the health conditions in the patients with neuronal injuries. Using touch neuron circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the role of physical exercise in the improvement of functional restoration after axotomy. We found that a swimming session of 90 min following the axotomy of posterior lateral microtubule (PLM) neuron can improve functional recovery in larval and adult stage animals. In older age, multiple exercise sessions were required to enhance the functional recovery. Genetic analysis of axon regeneration mutants showed that exercise-mediated enhancement of functional recovery depends on the ability of axon to regenerate. Exercise promotes early initiation of regrowth, self-fusion of proximal and distal ends, as well as postregrowth enhancement of function. We further found that the swimming exercise promotes axon regeneration through the activity of cellular energy sensor AAK-2/AMPK in both muscle and neuron. Our study established a paradigm where systemic effects of exercise on functional regeneration could be addressed at the single neuron level.

The Acute Effects of Swimming Exercise on PGC-1α-FNDC5/Irisin-UCP1 Expression in Male C57BL/6J Mice

Irisin is a myokine primarily secreted by skeletal muscles and is known as an exercise-induced hormone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the PGC-1α -FNDC5 /Irisin-UCP1 expression which is an irisin-related signaling pathway, is activated by an acute swimming exercise. Fourteen to sixteen weeks old male C57BL/6J mice (n = 20) were divided into control (CON, n = 10) and swimming exercise groups (SEG, n = 10). The SEG mice performed 90 min of acute swimming exercise, while control (non-exercised) mice were exposed to shallow water (2 cm of depth) for 90 min. The mRNA and protein expression of PGC-1α, FNDC5 and browning markers including UCP1 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. Serum irisin concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An acute swimming exercise did not lead to alterations in the mRNA and protein expression of PGC-1α in both soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, the mRNA and protein expression of UCP1 in brown adipose tissue, mRNA browning markers in visceral adipose tissue and circulating irisin when compared with the control group. On the other hand, an acute swimming exercise led to increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of FNDC5 in the soleus muscle, the protein expression of FNDC5 in the gastrocnemius muscles and the protein expression of UCP1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Attenuated Renal and Hepatic Cells Apoptosis Following Swimming Exercise Supplemented with Garlic Extract in Old Rats

Background/Objective

One of the problems associated with aging is the development of apoptosis in different tissues. There is evidence that physical activity and herbal remedies can be useful. This study aimed to determine the effect of swimming training (SW) alone or combined with garlic extract on renal and hepatic cells apoptosis, as wellas on the liver and kidney function biomarkers in old rats.

Methods

A total of 35 old rats (aged 40–50 weeks) were randomly divided into 5 groups including control, saline (S), exercise training (ET), garlic (G) and exercise training+ garlic (ET.G) groups. Exercise was started for 5 min/day and then gradually extended to 60 min/day and the G and E+G groups received 1 mL/kg of this mixture by gavage. Twenty-four hours after completion of 8 weeks training, liver, kidney and blood samples were collected for histopathological examinations, liver and kidney functions, oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers.

Results

The tissue sections of the SW exercise, control and saline groups showed some mild histopathological changes in liver and kidney, while SW supplemented with garlic prevented these damages. The SW alone or supplemented with garlic significantly increased the Bcl-2 value and declined the BAX level in both liver and kidney (p<0.05). The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and kidney of the control and saline groups were lower than those in E, G and G+E groups, while a significant increase for malondialdehyde (MDA) value was found in the control and saline groups. Furthermore, the E+G significantly declined the activity of hepatic (ALT, AST and ALP) and renal damage (uric acid, urea and creatinine) biomarkers compared to the control and saline groups (p<0.05).

Discussion

Swimming exercise supplemented with garlic extract not only improves antioxidant capacity but also declines oxidative damages and apoptosis through reducing Bax levels and enhancing Bcl-2 value.

The effect of swimming exercise and diet on the hypothalamic inflammation of ApoE-/- mice based on SIRT1-NF-κB-GnRH expression

A high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle could accelerate aging and hypothalamic inflammation. In order to explore the regulatory mechanisms of lifestyle in the hypothalamus, swimming exercise and diet control were applied in the high-fat diet ApoE-/- mice in our study. 20-week-old ApoE-/- mice fed with 12-week high-fat diet were treated by high-fat diet, diet control and swimming exercise. The results showed that hypothalamic inflammation, glial cells activation and cognition decline were induced by high-fat diet. Compared with the diet control, hypothalamic inflammation, glial cells activation and learning and memory impairment were effectively alleviated by swimming exercise plus diet control, which was related to the increasing expression of SIRT1, inhibiting the expression of NF-κB and raising secretion of GnRH in the hypothalamus. These findings supported the hypothesis that hypothalamic inflammation was susceptible to exercise and diet, which was strongly associated with SIRT1-NF-κB-GnRH expression in the hypothalamus.

Swimming exercise stimulates IGF1/ PI3K/Akt and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α survival signaling to suppress apoptosis and inflammation in aging hippocampus

Hippocampus is one of the most vulnerable brain regions in terms of age-related pathological change. Exercise is presumed to delay the aging process and promote health because it seems to improve the function of most of the aging mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of swimming exercise training on brain inflammation, apoptotic and survival pathways in the hippocampus of D-galactose-induced aging in SD rats. The rats were allocated to the following groups: (1) control; (2) swimming exercise; (3) induced-aging by injecting D-galactose; (4) induced-aging rats with swimming exercise. The longevity-related AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway and brain IGF1/PI3K/Akt survival pathway were significantly reduced in D-galactose-induced aging group compared to non-aging control group and increased after exercise training. The inflammation pathway markers were over-expressed in induced-aging hippocampus, exercise significantly inhibited the inflammatory signaling activity. Fas-dependent and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways were significantly increased in the induced-aging group relative to the control group whereas they were decreased in the aging-exercise group. This study demonstrated that swimming exercise not only reduced aging-induced brain apoptosis and inflammatory signaling activity, but also enhanced the survival pathways in the hippocampus, which provides one of the new beneficial effects for exercise training in aging brain.

Effects of swimming on pain and inflammatory factors in rats with lumbar disc herniation

The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of swimming on nerve root pain in rats with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). A total of 72 male Sprague Dawley rats (215±15 g) were randomly divided into three groups (n=24/group): The sham operation, model and exercise intervention groups, with the latter undergoing 4 weeks of swimming training. On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 following surgery, the changes in the post-limb mechanical claw threshold, the phospholipase A2 (PLA2), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression levels, the secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) expression, the IL-6 and TNF-α content, the nuclear factor (NF)-κBp65 protein expression level in the nucleus pulposus, and the apoptotic rate of the nucleus pulposus cells were detected. The results demonstrated that, in the model group, the threshold of hind paw withdrawal was decreased, and that the sPLA2 expression, IL-6 and TNF-α content, PLA2, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA and NF-κBp65 protein expression levels in the nucleus pulposus were increased. The apoptotic rate of the nucleus pulposus cells was increased from day 7 following surgery, as compared with the sham operation group. In the exercise intervention group, the hind paw withdrawal threshold increased and the TNF-α and IL-6 content, sPLA2 expression and PLA2, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA and NF-κBp65 protein expression levels were decreased from day 14 following surgery, and the apoptotic nucleus pulposus cells were decreased from day 7 following surgery, as compared with the model group. Collectively, the present data suggest that swimming can significantly reduce nerve root pain and inhibit inflammatory reaction in LDH, which can have positive effects on the treatment of LDH.

Effects of Exercise Training on the Autophagy-Related Muscular Proteins Expression in Ovariectomized Rats

Ovariectomy disrupts estrogen production and homeostasis. However, whether exercise training (ET) could counteract the ovariectomy-induced effect on muscular autophagy has remained elusive. This study examined muscular autophagy in ovariectomized (OVX) rats following 8 weeks of swimming ET. Here, 40 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated control (Sham), OVX control (OVX), OVX with 60-min ET (OVX-60ET), 90-min ET (OVX-90ET), and 120-min ET (OVX-120ET) for 6 days/week. According to the results of Western blotting, the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins in the OVX gastrocnemius muscle, including mammalian target of rapamycin, uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1, Beclin-1, autophagy-related gene (Atg-7), and microtubule-associated protein light chains 3 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05), while there was an elevation on the p62 level. ET appreciably mitigated the OVX-induced negative effects on muscle quality and the autophagy pathway, which seemed to be dependent on ET volume. The most optimal outcomes were observed in the OVX-90ET group. The OVX-120 group had an adversely augmented catabolic process associated with gastrocnemius muscle atrophy. In conclusion, the expression levels of autophagy proteins are decreased in OVX rats, which can be appreciably mitigated following 8 weeks of swimming ET.

[Effect of swimming exercise on MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissue of insulin resistance rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of chronic and acute swimming exercise intervention on the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1(ERK1) phosphorylation level in adipose tissues of obesityinduced insulin resistance rats.

METHODS

A total of 100 SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10) fed with normal diet and high-fat diet group(n=90) fed with high fat diet. After 8 weeks, one third rats(n=30) with upper weight in high-fat diet group were selected and randomly divided into high-fat diet sedentary group(n=10), chronic exercise group(n=10) and acute exercise group(n=10). Under another 8-week high-fat diet feeding, exercise intervention was performed according to the exercise procedure; control group was fed with normal diet for 8 weeks. After exercise intervention, visceral adipose tissues were separated and MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissue was detected by Western blot method.

RESULTS

Chronic exercise intervention significantly reduced body weight, visceral fat weight and visceral fat weight/body weight ratio(P<0. 01), and acute exercise intervention had no significant effect on body weight, visceral fat weight and visceral fat weight/body weight ratio. Both chronic and acute exercise intervention significantly increased body insulin sensitivity(P<0. 05), as well as significantly decreased MEK and ERK1 phosphorylation level in adipose tissues(P<0. 01).

CONCLUSION

The improvement of obesity-induced insulin resistance by exercise might be related to inhibited phosphorylation of MEK and ERK1 in adipose tissues.

The effects of exhaustive swimming and probiotic administration in trained rats: Oxidative balance of selected organs, colon morphology, and contractility

The duration and intensity of exercise are significant factors in oxidative, morphological, and functional changes of the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the effects of both exhaustive swimming and probiotic VSL#3 on rats that had been previously trained with moderate swimming. The rats were divided into four groups labeled: control (C), probiotic (P), exercise (E), and probiotic-exercise (PE). Groups P and PE were fed with probiotic mixture VSL#3. Groups E and PE had a 5-week moderate swimming program (1 h/day for 5 days/week), followed by a 1-week exhaustive swimming program (trained like in moderate program but 3 times with 150 min resting sessions, for 5 days/week). At the end of the program, the rats were euthanized. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels were measured in tissue samples from the gastrocnemius muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and colon. In vitro contractile activity and histomorphology of the colon were also determined. Exercise and/or probiotic decreased the oxidative stress and also increased the level of one or more of the antioxidant enzymes in some of the organs. Probiotics had more pronounced effects on colon morphology than exercise but unexpectedly this effect was non-trophic. In the colon, the thickness of the tunica muscularis and the number of goblet cells were not affected; however, probiotic administration decreased the crypt depth and tunica mucosa thickness. Exercise increased the E_max value of acetylcholine (ACh), while decreased its sensitivity. These findings suggest that exhaustive swimming does not cause oxidative stress and that probiotic consumption improves oxidative balance in trained rats. The probiotic intake does not alter the effect of exercise on the contractile activity of the colon. Colon mucosal changes induced by probiotics are independent of exercise.

Swimming exercise demonstrates advantages over running exercise in reducing proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Experimental studies in animal models have described the benefits of physical exercise (PE) to kidney diseases associated with hypertension. Land- and water-based exercises induce different responses in renal function. Our aim was to evaluate the renal alterations induced by different environments of PE in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The SHRs were divided into sedentary (S), swimming exercise (SE), and running exercise (RE) groups, and were trained for 8 weeks under similar intensities (60 min/day). Arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. The renal function was evaluated through urinary volume at each week of training; sodium and potassium excretions, plasma and urinary osmolarities, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), levels of proteinuria, and renal damage were determined. SE and RE rats presented reduced mean AP, systolic blood pressure, and HR in comparison with S group. SE and RE rats showed higher urine osmolarity compared with S. SE rats showed higher free water clearance (P < 0.01), lower urinary density (P < 0.0001), and increased weekly urine volume (P < 0.05) in comparison with RE and S groups. GFR was increased in both SE and RE rats. The proteinuria of SE (7.0 ± 0.8 mg/24 h) rats was decreased at the 8th week of the PE in comparison with RE (9.6 ± 0.8 mg/24 h) and S (9.8 ± 0.5 mg/24 h) groups. The glomerulosclerosis was reduced in SE rats (P < 0.02). SE produced different response in renal function in comparison with RE, in which only swimming-trained rats had better profile for proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis.

Swimming exercise reverses aging-related contractile abnormalities of female heart by improving structural alterations

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of swimming exercise on aging-related Ca2+ handling alterations and structural abnormalities of female rat heart.

METHODS

For this purpose, 4-month and 24-month old female rats were used and divided into three following groups: sedentary young (SY), sedentary old (SO), and exercised old (Ex-O). Swimming exercise was performed for 8 weeks (60 min/day, 5 days/week). Myocyte shortening, L-type Ca2+ currents and associated Ca2+ transients were measured from ventricular myocytes at 36 ± 1°C. NOX-4 levels, aconitase activity, glutathione measurements and ultrastructural examination by electron microscopy were conducted in heart tissue.

RESULTS

Swimming exercise reversed the reduced shortening and slowed kinetics of aged cardiomyocytes. Although the current density was similar for all groups, Ca2+ transients were higher in SO and Ex-O myocytes with respect to the SY group. Caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients and the integrated NCX current were lower in cardiomyocytes of SY rats compared with other groups, suggesting an increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content in an aged heart. Aging led to upregulated cardiac NOX-4 along with declined aconitase activity. Although it did not reverse these oxidative parameters, swimming exercise achieved a significant increase in glutathione levels and improved structural alterations of old rats' hearts.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that swimming exercise upregulates antioxidant defense capacity and improves structural abnormalities of senescent female rat heart, although it does not change Ca2+ handling alterations further. Thereby, it improves contractile function of aged myocardium by mitigating detrimental effects of oxidative stress.

Prior regular exercise improves clinical outcome and reduces demyelination and axonal injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Although previous studies have shown that forced exercise modulates inflammation and is therapeutic acutely for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the long-term benefits have not been evaluated. In this study, we investigated the effects of preconditioning exercise on the clinical and pathological progression of EAE. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either an exercised (Ex) or unexercised (UEx) group and all of them were induced for EAE. Mice in the Ex group had an attenuated clinical score relative to UEx mice throughout the study. At 42 dpi, flow cytometry analysis showed a significant reduction in B cells, CD4(+) T cells, and CD8(+) T cells infiltrating into the spinal cord in the Ex group compared to UEx. Ex mice also had a significant reduction in myelin damage with a corresponding increase in proteolipid protein expression. Finally, Ex mice had a significant reduction in axonal damage. Collectively, our study demonstrates for the first time that a prolonged and forced preconditioning protocol of exercise improves clinical outcome and attenuates pathological hallmarks of EAE at chronic disease. In this study, we show that a program of 6 weeks of preconditioning exercise promoted a significant reduction of cells infiltrating into the spinal cord, a significant reduction in myelin damage and a significant reduction in axonal damage in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice at 42 dpi. Collectively, our study demonstrates for the first time that a preconditioning protocol of exercise improves clinical outcome and attenuates pathological hallmarks of EAE at chronic disease.

ingestion on glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Salicornia herbacea L. powder ingestion on carbohydrate metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

To achieve this objective, 35 Sprague-Dawley male rats were raised with feed mixed with Salicornia herbacia L. powder and given specific periods to swim for 5 weeks. There was no significant difference in the insulin increase rate while ingesting Salicornia herbacea L. powder and simultaneously exercising.

Results

Compared to the diabetes mellitus group, HOMA-IR was significantly decreased in the diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and the diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group. However, changes in blood glucose were significant in each group. Thus, for the result of GLUT-4 and GLUT-2, which are the glycose transporters of the liver and muscle, diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group showed significantly higher expressions. The glycogen concentration of the liver and muscle was significantly increased in the diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group.

Conclusion

With the results above, it seems that taking Salicornia herbacea L. powder and exercise will help prevent various diabetic complications. Therefore, the findings of this study could justify Salicornia herbacea L. powder with its basal data of physiological activities and pharmacological components as a type of health functional food.

Assessment of the effect of prolonged forced swimming on CD-1 mice sperm morphology with and without antioxidant supplementation

As physical exercise has been shown to negatively affect sperm morphology, this study was undertaken to assess the effect of a 3-min forced swimming protocol during 50 days, with and without administration of antioxidants [N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and trans-resveratrol], on sperm morphology in CD-1 mice. Forty-four 13-week-old CD-1 mice were randomly allocated to four different groups: mice not submitted to exercise, control group (CG), mice submitted to swimming without administration of antioxidants (EX), mice submitted to swimming that received trans-resveratrol supplementation [exercise group (EX)+Resv] and mice submitted to swimming exercise that received NAC supplementation (EX+NAC). The EX showed 30.5% of spermatozoa with normal morphology, showing significant differences with regard to the CG, which showed 58.5%. The groups receiving antioxidant supplements showed significantly higher percentages of spermatozoa with normal morphology in comparison with the EX group (EX+Resv: 64.1%, EX+NAC: 48.2%). The imposed model of forced swimming caused alterations in sperm morphology. The antioxidants employed seem to be suitable antioxidants for avoiding exercise-associated sperm morphology anomalies in prolonged forced swimming exercise. Trans-resveratrol has proven to be more efficient for this purpose.

Forced sustained swimming exercise at optimal speed enhances growth of juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Swimming exercise at optimal speed may optimize growth performance of yellowtail kingfish in a recirculating aquaculture system. Therefore, optimal swimming speeds (U_opt in m s⁻¹ or body lengths s⁻¹, BL s⁻¹) were assessed and then applied to determine the effects of long-term forced and sustained swimming at U_opt on growth performance of juvenile yellowtail kingfish. U_opt was quantified in Blazka-type swim-tunnels for 145, 206, and 311 mm juveniles resulting in values of: (1) 0.70 m s⁻¹ or 4.83 BL s⁻¹, (2) 0.82 m s⁻¹ or 3.25 BL s⁻¹, and (3) 0.85 m s⁻¹ or 2.73 BL s⁻¹. Combined with literature data from larger fish, a relation of U_opt (BL s⁻¹) = 234.07(BL)^−0.779 (R² = 0.9909) was established for this species. Yellowtail kingfish, either forced to perform sustained swimming exercise at an optimal speed of 2.46 BL s⁻¹ (“swimmers”) or allowed to perform spontaneous activity at low water flow (“resters”) in a newly designed 3600 L oval flume (with flow created by an impeller driven by an electric motor), were then compared. At the start of the experiment, ten fish were sampled representing the initial condition. After 18 days, swimmers (n = 23) showed a 92% greater increase in BL and 46% greater increase in BW as compared to resters (n = 23). As both groups were fed equal rations, feed conversion ratio (FCR) for swimmers was 1.21 vs. 1.74 for resters. Doppler ultrasound imaging showed a statistically significant higher blood flow (31%) in the ventral aorta of swimmers vs. resters (44 ± 3 vs. 34 ± 3 mL min⁻¹, respectively, under anesthesia). Thus, growth performance can be rapidly improved by optimal swimming, without larger feed investments.

Protective effects of Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharides against exercise-induced oxidative stress in male rats

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharides (RPPs) against swimming exercise-induced oxidative stress in male rats. A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: the control (C), low-dose RPP supplementation (LRS), medium-dose RPP supplementation (MRS) and high-dose RPP supplementation (HRS) groups. The control group received saline solution and the supplementation groups received different doses of RPPs (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively). The animals were medicated orally and daily for 28 days. On day 28, the rats were made to swim until exhausted. The exhaustive swimming time and various biochemical parameters, including blood lactate, hemoglobin, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. The results showed that RPP supplementation elevates the exercise tolerance and decreases the blood lactate level of rats following exhaustive swimming exercise. RPP supplementation augments the levels of hemoglobin and anti-oxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH-Px), and effectively decreases the MDA content of the skeletal muscle of rats, which suggests that RPP supplementation has a protective effect against exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Prophylactic effects of swimming exercise on autophagy-induced muscle atrophy in diabetic rats

Diabetes decreases skeletal muscle mass and induces atrophy. However, the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency modify muscle mass are not well defined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of swimming exercise on muscle mass and intracellular protein degradation in diabetic rats, and proposed that autophagy inhibition induced by swimming exercise serves as a hypercatabolic mechanism in the skeletal muscles of diabetic rats, supporting a notion that swimming exercise could efficiently reverse the reduced skeletal muscle mass caused by diabetes. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) to induce diabetes and then submitted to 1 hr per day of forced swimming exercise, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. We conducted an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test on the animals and measured body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and protein degradation and examined the level of autophagy in the isolated extensor digitorum longus, plantaris, and soleus muscles. Body weight and muscle tissue mass were higher in the exercising diabetic rats than in control diabetic rats that remained sedentary. Compared to control rats, exercising diabetic rats had lower blood glucose levels, increased intracellular contractile protein expression, and decreased autophagic protein expression. We conclude that swimming exercise improves muscle mass in diabetes-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, suggesting the activation of autophagy in diabetes contributes to muscle atrophy through hypercatabolic metabolism and that aerobic exercise, by suppressing autophagy, may modify or reverse skeletal muscle wasting in diabetic patients.

Temporal progression in migratory status and sexual maturation in European silver eels during downstream migration

The onset of downstream migration of European eels is accompanied by a cessation of feeding and the start of sexual maturation which stresses the link between metabolism and sexual maturation, also suggesting an important role for exercise. Exercise has been tested with eels in swim tunnels and was found to stimulate the onset of sexual maturation. In this study, we have investigated the interplay between migration and maturation in the field during the downstream migration of female silver eels. Temporal changes in migratory status and sexual maturation among silver eels of the upstream Rhine River system over 3 months of the migration season (August, September and October) were determined in biometrical parameters, plasma 17β-estradiol and calcium levels, oocyte histology and gonadal fat levels. Furthermore, the ecological relevant parameters age as determined by otolithometry and health aspects indicated by haematocrit, haemoglobin and swim-bladder parasite load were measured. Silver eels were estimated to be 14 years old. A strong temporal progression in migratory stage was shown over the months of downstream migration. Catches probably represented a mix of reproductive migrants and feeding migrants of which the ratio increased over time. Furthermore, this study confirmed our hypothesis linking the migratory stage to early maturation as indicated by enlargement of the eyes, oocyte growth and fat deposition in the oocytes, exactly the same changes as found induced by exercise but not ruling out environmental influences. Migrants show extensive fat uptake by the oocytes, probably stimulated by the swimming exercise. In addition, at least 83% of the silver eels in this spawning run may have suffered from negative effects of swim-bladder parasites on their swimming performance.

Effect of L-ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and endocrine disorders in mature male rats exposed to intensive swimming exercise

In order to investigate the ameliorative potential of L-ascorbic acid on intensive swimming exercise induced testicular oxidative stress, 18 Wistar male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127.5 ± 5.3 g) were randomly divided into the following groups: (i) control group (CG, n = 6); (ii) experimental group (EG, n = 6); and (iii) supplemented group (SG, n = 6). An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming per day, five days per week was followed for 6 weeks in EG and SG with no exercise in CG. In SG, L-ascorbic acid was supplied orally at a dose of 25-mg/kg of bodyweight each day for 6 weeks. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was noted in paired testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, testicular Δ⁵, 3β-hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, plasma levels of testosterone luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, the numbers of preleptotine spermatocytes, midpachytene spermatocytes and stage 7 spermatids of stage VII seminiferous epithelium cycle in EG when compared with CG. A significant elevation (P < 0.05) in plasma corticosterone and testicular content of malondialdehyde along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in glutathione, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were noted in testes of EG compared with CG. No significant change was noted in final bodyweight or numbers of spermatogonia-A among the groups. Furthermore, L-ascorbic acid supplementation restored the above parameters to the control level. Conclusion:  It can be concluded that intensive swimming exercise induced oxidative stress causes dysfunctions in the male reproductive system, which can be protected by L-ascorbic acid. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 145-153).

Effect of L-ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and endocrine disorders in mature male rats exposed to intensive swimming exercise

In order to investigate the ameliorative potential of L-ascorbic acid on intensive swimming exercise induced testicular oxidative stress, 18 Wistar male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127.5 ± 5.3 g) were randomly divided into the following groups: (i) control group (CG, n = 6); (ii) experimental group (EG, n = 6); and (iii) supplemented group (SG, n = 6). An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming per day, five days per week was followed for 6 weeks in EG and SG with no exercise in CG. In SG, L-ascorbic acid was supplied orally at a dose of 25-mg/kg of bodyweight each day for 6 weeks. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was noted in paired testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, testicular Δ⁵, 3β-hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, plasma levels of testosterone luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, the numbers of preleptotine spermatocytes, midpachytene spermatocytes and stage 7 spermatids of stage VII seminiferous epithelium cycle in EG when compared with CG. A significant elevation (P < 0.05) in plasma corticosterone and testicular content of malondialdehyde along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in glutathione, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were noted in testes of EG compared with CG. No significant change was noted in final bodyweight or numbers of spermatogonia-A among the groups. Furthermore, L-ascorbic acid supplementation restored the above parameters to the control level. Conclusion:  It can be concluded that intensive swimming exercise induced oxidative stress causes dysfunctions in the male reproductive system, which can be protected by L-ascorbic acid. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 145-153).