Moderate aerobic exercise training ameliorates impairment of mitochondrial function and dynamics in skeletal muscle of high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether moderate aerobic exercise training improves high-fat diet-induced alterations in mitochondrial function and structure in the skeletal muscle. Male 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (CON), control plus exercise (CON + EX), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet plus exercise (HFD + EX). After obesity was induced by 20 weeks of 60% HFD, treadmill exercise training was performed at 13-16 m/min, 40-50 min/day, and 6 days/week for 12 weeks. Mitochondrial structure, function, and dynamics, and mitophagy were analyzed in the skeletal muscle fibers from the red gastrocnemius. Exercise training increased mitochondrial number and area and reduced high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. In addition, exercise training attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction in the permeabilized myofibers, indicating that HFD-induced decrease of mitochondrial O2 respiration and Ca2+ retention capacity and increase of mitochondrial H2 O2 emission were attenuated in the HFD + EX group compared to the HFD group. Exercise also ameliorated HFD-induced imbalance of mitochondrial fusion and fission, demonstrating that HFD-induced decrease in fusion protein levels was elevated, and increase in fission protein levels was reduced in the HFD + EX groups compared with the HFD group. Moreover, dysregulation of mitophagy induced by HFD was mitigated in the HFD + EX group, indicating a decrease in PINK1 protein level. Our findings demonstrated that moderate aerobic exercise training mitigated obesity-induced insulin resistance by improving mitochondrial function, and reversed obesity-induced mitochondrial structural damage by improving mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, suggesting that moderate aerobic exercise training may play a therapeutic role in protecting the skeletal muscle against mitochondrial impairments and insulin resistance induced by obesity.

Safety assessment of white colony-forming yeasts in kimchi.

White colony-forming yeasts (WCFYs) have been reported to form a white colony on the surface of kimchi, resulting in the deterioration of kimchi sensory quality. However, toxicity of WCFY has rarely been studied. Thus, to evaluate the safety of WCFY (i.e., Kazachstania servazzii, Candia sake, and Pichia kudriavzevii), we conducted cell and animal experiments as well as genomic analysis. In vitro studies indicated that WCFY did not induce cytotoxic responses such as lactate dehydrogenase release, excessive oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage at concentrations of up to 2.5 × 105 CFU/mL in human intestinal and liver cells. In animal studies using rats (single-dose and 14-day repeated-dose oral toxicity studies), WCFY did not induce death, clinical signs of toxicity, histological alterations of the liver, or increases in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines nor cytochrome P450-2E1 in liver tissue at concentrations of up to 5 × 108 CFU/head/day. Genomic analysis revealed that P. kudriavzevii did not harbor genes related to toxicity and antimicrobial resistance. Taken together, our data suggest that exposure to WCFY through kimchi intake did not induce toxic response in the Caco-2, HepG2, and Sprague-Dawley rats. The current work provides evidence for the safety of accidental major WCFY ingestion via kimchi.

Effects of Exercise Training during Advanced Maternal Age on the Cognitive Function of Offspring.

Advanced maternal age (AMA) denotes an age of ≥35 years during the time of delivery. Maternal metabolism affects the offspring's physical and neurological development as well as their cognitive function. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of exercise training among old female animals on the cognitive function, hippocampal neuroplasticity, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis in the offspring. We found that the offspring of mothers with AMA without exercise training had decreased spatial learning and memory, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) protein levels, neurogenesis, and mitochondrial function, as well as hippocampal cell death. Contrastingly, offspring of mothers with AMA with exercise training showed improved spatial learning, memory, hippocampal neuroplasticity, and mitochondrial function. These findings indicate that despite the AMA, increasing fitness through exercise significantly contributes to a positive prenatal environment for fetuses. The maternal exercises augmented the hippocampal levels of BDNF, which prevents decreased cognitive function in the offspring of mothers with AMA.

Infusion of Plasma from Exercised Mice Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction by Increasing Hippocampal Neuroplasticity and Mitochondrial Functions in 3xTg-AD Mice.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative brain disease causing dementia. It is characterized by slow onset and gradual worsening of memory and other cognitive functions. Recently, parabiosis and infusion of plasma from young mice have been proposed to have positive effects in aging and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, this study examined whether infusion of plasma from exercised mice improved cognitive functions related to the hippocampus in a 3xTg-Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. We collected plasma from young mice that had exercised for 3 months and injected 100 µL of plasma into the tail vein of 12-month-old 3xTg-AD mice 10 times at 3-day intervals. We then analyzed spatial learning and memory, long-term memory, hippocampal GSK3ß/tau proteins, synaptic proteins, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and neurogenesis. In the hippocampus of 3xTg-AD mice, infusion of plasma from exercised mice improved neuroplasticity and mitochondrial function and suppressed apoptosis, ultimately improving cognitive function. However, there was no improvement in tau hyperphosphorylation. This study showed that plasma from exercised mice could have a protective effect on cognitive dysfunction and neural circuits associated with AD via a tau-independent mechanism involving elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor due to exercise.

Physical exercise promotes memory capability by enhancing hippocampal mitochondrial functions and inhibiting apoptosis in obesity-induced insulin resistance by high fat diet.

A high-fat diet induces obesity in mice, leading to insulin resistance, decreased mitochondrial function, and increased apoptosis in the hippocampus, which eventually result in memory loss. The present study investigated the effect of physical exercise on memory, hippocampal mitochondrial function, and apoptosis in mice with in insulin resistance caused by obesity due to high-fat diet. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (CON), control and exercise (CON + EX), high fat diet (HFD), and high fat diet and exercise (HFD + EX). After receiving a high-fat (60%) diet for 20 weeks to induce obesity, the animals were subjected to an exercise routine 6 times per week, for 12 weeks. The exercise duration and intensity gradually increased over 4-week intervals. Hippocampal memory was examined using the step-down avoidance task. Mitochondrial function and apoptosis were also examined in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus. We found that obesity owing to a high-fat diet induced insulin resistance and caused a decrease in memory function. Insulin resistance also caused a decrease in mitochondrial function in the hippocampus by reducing Ca2+ retention and O2, respiration, increasing the levels of H2O2, and Cyp-D, and mPTP opening. In addition, apoptosis in the hippocampus increased owing to decreased expression of Bcl-2 and increased expression of Bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells. In contrast, physical exercise led to reduced insulin resistance, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced apoptosis in the hippocampus. The results suggest that physiological stimulations such as exercise improve hippocampal function and suppress apoptosis, potentially preventing the memory loss associated with obesity-induced insulin resistance.

Flavobacterium fluminis sp. nov. to accommodate an aerobic, halotolerant and gliding flavobacterium isolated from freshwater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and rod-shaped bacterium designated strain 3R17T was isolated from freshwater. Strain 3R17T produced bright-yellow, circular, convex and smooth colonies on R2A agar, tryptic soy agar, potato dextrose agar, nutrient agar and brain-heart infusion agar media. The strain was motile by gliding. The strain grew at 4-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 7) and in the presence of up to 3 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %) on R2A agar. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that 3R17T represents a member of the genus Flavobacterium and is most closely related to Flavobacterium resistens BD-b365T, with a sequence similarity of 97.78 %, but the strain formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage of its own. Fatty acid analysis indicated that a summed feature comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH were the major components (>5 %). Strain 3R17T contained phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and several unidentified aminolipids as main polar lipids, and MK-6 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. Flexirubin pigments were not produced. The DNA G+C content was 35.4 mol%. The combination of physiological and chemotaxonomic properties distinguished 3R17T from related species of the genus Flavobacterium. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomy, 3R17T evidently represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium fluminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3R17T (=KCTC 42062T=JCM 30338T).

Fluviicoccus keumensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and coccus-shaped bacterial strain, designated 4DR5T, was isolated from freshwater and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum pH 7) and in the presence of 0-0.4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %) on R2A agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain 4DR5T was assigned to the family Moraxellaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria, and its closest related taxa were species of the genera Perlucidibaca (93.67 % sequence similarity), Agitococcus (93.07 %), Paraperlucidibaca (92.31-92.38 %), Alkanindiges (91.79 %) and Acinetobacter (90.24-91.23 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone detected in strain 4DR5T was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acids were a summed feature consisting of C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, one consisting of C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, and C16 : 0. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 61.2 mol%. The phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and biochemical data not only supported the affiliation of strain 4DR5T to the family Moraxellaceae, but also separated it from other established genera within the family. Therefore, the novel isolate evidently represents a novel species of a new genus of Moraxellaceae, for which the name Fluviicoccus keumensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Fluviicoccus keumensis is 4DR5T ( = KCTC 32475T = JCM 19370T).

Effects of elastic band exercise on subjects with rounded shoulder posture and forward head posture.

[Purpose] This study performed to investigate the effect of elastic band exercise program on the posture of subjects with rounded shoulder and forward head posture. [Subjects and Methods] The body length, forward shoulder angle, craniovertebral angle, and cranial rotation angle of participants (n=12) were measured before and after the exercise program. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the pectoralis major, rhomboid major, and upper trapezius were measured using an ultrasonographic imaging device. The exercises program was conducted with elastic bands, with 15 repetitions per set and 3 sets in total. [Results] The length of the pectoralis major, forward shoulder angle, and craniovertebral angle showed significant changes between before and after the exercise program, whereas the changes in the other measurements were not significant. The thickness of the upper trapezius showed a significant increase between before and after the elastic band exercise. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that the elastic band exercise program used in the study is effective for lengthening the pectoralis major and correcting rounded shoulder and forward head posture.

Antibiotic resistance among aquatic bacteria in natural freshwater environments of Korea.

The taxonomic diversity and antibiotic resistance among freshwater bacterial communities in the major water bodies of Korea was examined using 437 penicillin-resistant, and 110 tetracycline-resistant bacterial isolates. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, most isolates were assigned to Proteobacteria, which was then followed by Bacteroidetes. Strains of Aeromonas were found as the most abundant penicillin-resistant populations, whereas those affiliated to diverse species including enteric groups were found as the most abundant tetracycline-resistant populations. Most strains exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance, and all tested strains were resistant to penicillin and hygromycin. High levels of resistance were observed for antibiotics acting on cell wall synthesis, whereas low levels were for those acting on DNA replication or transcription in general. It is apparent from this study that penicillin resistance is widespread among environmental bacteria, although the antibiotic has been generally non-detectable in the environment. It is also likely from the taxonomic composition of the resistant communities that various sources including terrestrial animals and humans may contribute to antibiotic resistance in the freshwater environment.

Comparison of the effects of acute exercise after overnight fasting and breakfast on energy substrate and hormone levels in obese men.

[Purpose] We compared the effects of acute aerobic exercise following overnight fasting and breakfast on energy substrate and hormone levels in obese male college students. [Subjects and Methods] This crossover study recruited 10 obese male college students with a body mass index >25 kg/m(2) or >20% body fat. One week post-recruitment, the subjects exercised in the morning after an overnight fast. At 2 weeks, they exercised post-breakfast. Energy substrate (glucose, free fatty acid) and metabolic hormone (insulin, growth hormone, and cortisol) levels were measured immediately before and after exercise and at 60 min post-exercise. [Results] We observed interaction effects between the measurement time and exercise treatment for glucose; significant differences between measurement times and between exercise treatments for free fatty acids; interaction effects between the measurement time and exercise treatment for insulin and significant differences in the measurement time; significance differences between measurement times and between exercise treatments for growth hormone; and significant differences between measurement times and between exercise treatments for cortisol. [Conclusion] Morning exercise following an overnight fast can be more effective in reducing body fat than post-prandial exercise. However, increased cortisol levels following exercise after overnight fasting may negatively affect long-term weight loss in obese men.

Draft genome sequence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KCKM 0106, isolated from mustard leaf kimchi.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KCKM 0106, isolated from mustard leaf kimchi, demonstrates probiotic properties, such as acid tolerance and adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. We present the draft genome sequence of L. plantarum KCKM 0106, comprising 3,328,662 bp and 44.4% GC content.

Whole genome sequences of Lactococcus lactis KCKM 0851 isolated from green onion kimchi.

Lactococcus lactis KCKM 0851 isolated from green onion kimchi is a probiotic candidate and can be used as a starter culture for kimchi and dairy products. The whole-genome data of this strain will help us understand its genetics and metabolic characteristics.

Exercise before pregnancy exerts protective effect on prenatal stress-induced impairment of memory, neurogenesis, and mitochondrial function in offspring.

Stress during pregnancy has a negative effect on the fetus. However, maternal exercise has a positive effect on the cognitive function of the fetus and alleviates the negative effects of stress. This study aimed to demonstrate whether exercise before pregnancy has a protective effect on prenatal stress-induced impairment of memory, neurogenesis and mitochondrial function in mice offspring. In this experiment, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, measurement of mitochondria oxygen respiration, and behavior tests were performed. Spatial memory and short-term memory of the offspring from the prenatal stress with exercise were increased compared to the offspring from the prenatal stress. The numbers of doublecortin-positive and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of the offspring from the prenatal stress with exercise were higher compared to the offspring from the prenatal stress. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, postsynaptic density 95 kDa, and synaptophysin in the hippocampus of the offspring from the prenatal stress with exercise were enhanced compared to the offspring from the prenatal stress. Oxygen consumption of the offspring from the prenatal stress with exercise were higher compared to the offspring from the prenatal stress. Exercise before pregnancy alleviated prenatal stress-induced impairment of memory, neurogenesis, and mitochondrial function. Therefore, exercise before pregnancy may have a protective effect against prenatal stress of the offspring.

Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles and Cinnamaldehyde-Functionalized Paper-Based Films and Their Antimicrobial Activities against White Film-Forming Yeasts.

During storage and fermentation of kimchi, white film-forming yeasts (WFY) are generated on the surface of kimchi under various conditions. These yeasts include Candida sake, Pichia kudriavzevii, Kazachstania servazzii, Debaryomyces hansenii, and Hanseniaspora uvarum. Because of the off-odor and texture-softening properties of WFY that degrade the quality of kimchi, a method to prevent WFY is required. In this study, cinnamaldehyde (CIN) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a large surface area were grafted on a paper surface, which was termed the "Paper_AuNPs_CIN" film. CIN is an antimicrobial agent that is approved for use in food applications. In the as-fabricated Paper_AuNPs_CIN film, antimicrobial CIN molecules were physically adsorbed to the surface of AuNPs and simultaneously chemically synthesized on the paper surface via the imine reaction. The Paper_AuNPs_CIN film exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against the three WFY strains than a Paper_CIN film (which contains only CIN molecules). Since more CIN molecules were adsorbed to the large surface area of the paper-reduced AuNPs, the Paper_AuNPs_CIN film exhibited a higher antimicrobial activity. Using AuNPs and CIN simultaneously to inhibit the growth of WFY is a novel approach that has not yet been reported. The morphology and elemental mapping of the functionalized films were examined via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, elemental composition was analyzed via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and chemical bonding and optical properties were investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Additionally, agar-well diffusion assays were used to determine the antimicrobial activity against three representative WFY strains: C. sake, P. kudriavzevii, and K. servazzii.

Influence of Isolation Temperature on Isolating Diverse Lactic Acid Bacteria from Kimchi and Cultural Characteristics of Psychrotrophs.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable that is stored and fermented at low temperatures. However, kimchi lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are typically isolated under mesophilic conditions, which may be inappropriate for isolating the diverse LAB. Therefore, this study investigated the suitable conditions for isolating various LAB from kimchi. Here, LAB were isolated from four kimchi samples using MRS, PES, and LBS media and varying isolation temperatures (30, 20, 10, and 5°C). Then, MRS was selected as the suitable medium for LAB isolation. A comparison of culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches indicated that 5°C was not a suitable isolation temperature. Thus, the number and diversity of LAB were determined at 30, 20, and 10°C using 12 additional kimchi samples to elucidate the effect of isolation temperature. With the exception of two samples, most samples did not substantially differ in LAB number. However, Leuconostoc gelidum, Leuconostoc gasicomitatum, Leuconostoc inhae, Dellaglioa algida, Companilactobacillus kimchiensis, Leuconostoc miyukkimchii, Leuconostoc holzapfelii, and Leuconostoc carnosum were isolated only at 10 and 20°C. The growth curves of these isolates, except Leu. holzapfelii and Leu. carnosum, showed poor growth at 30°C. This confirmed their psychrotrophic characteristics. In Weissella koreensis, which was isolated at all isolation temperatures, there was a difference in the fatty acid composition of membranes between strains that could grow well at 30°C and those that could not. These findings can contribute to the isolation of more diverse psychrotrophic strains that were not well isolated under mesophilic temperatures.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates chemotherapy-induced memory impairment through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug for various cancers and it is known to induce cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise on chemotherapy-induced memory impairment. We assessed whether DOX affects inflammation, mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity, and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group, exercise group, DOX-injection group, and DOX-injection and exercise group. To create a DOX-induced memory impairment model, animals were injected intraperitoneally with DOX (2 mg/kg) dissolved in saline solution once a week for 4 weeks. Treadmill exercise was performed once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Short-term memory was determined using the step-down avoidance test. Western blot was performed for the proinflammatory cytokines, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus. Mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity in the hippocampus was also measured. DOX-injection rats showed deterioration of short-term memory along with decreased expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, were increased in the DOX-injection rats. Wnt/ß-catenin signaling was activated and mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity was decreased in the DOX-injection rats. However, treadmill exercise alleviated short-term memory impairment, decreased proinflammatory cytokines, increased BDNF and TrkB expression, and enhanced mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity. Treadmill exercise restorated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that treadmill exercise can be used for patients undergoing chemotherapy with DOX.

Physical exercise ameliorates memory impairment in offspring of old mice.

For humans, maternal old age means the age of 35 or older at the time of childbirth. Maternal metabolism not only affects the cognitive function of the offspring, but also affects their physical and neurological development. This study aims to elucidate the effects of exercise training on spatial learning memory, neurogenesis, and apoptosis in the off-spring of old mice. Using mice, the offspring of old mothers showed impaired spatial learning memory, decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein 95 levels, suppressed neurogenesis, and increased hippocampal apoptotic cell death. In contrast, the offspring of the old mothers had improved spatial learning memory, increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein 95 levels, increased neurogenesis, and decreased hippocampal apoptotic cell death when they received exercise training. The present results indicate that there is apparent spatial learning memory impairment among the offspring of old mothers, but by contrast, exercise can ameliorate spatial learning memory impairment. Exercise can be an effective countermeasure against memory decline in the offspring of old mothers.

Optimizing Conditions in the Acid Tolerance Test for Potential Probiotics Using Response Surface Methodology.

Acid tolerance is an important feature of probiotic development. It is one of the factors underlying the beneficial effects of probiotics in the intestine. However, the methods used by different researchers to test acid tolerance vary, causing confusion in the interpretation of the results. Therefore, in this study, we determine the optimal conditions for the acid tolerance test using response surface methodology. The factors of pH (2.5 to 3.5), exposure time (1 to 2 h), and pepsin (presence or absence) were used as independent variables, and the survival rates of seven strains (Lacticaseibacillus casei KACC 12413, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KACC 15357, Limosilactobacillus fermentum KACC 11441, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KCTC 21024, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WiKim 0112) known to have probiotic properties were used as dependent variables. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the pH value and exposure time in acidic environments significantly affected the acid tolerance test model, and their interaction also had an effect (P < 0.05). Using the ANOVA results, the condition of the acid tolerance test was optimized with a target of an 85% survival rate for each strain. The optimized conditions of the acid tolerance test were as follows: pH 2.92, exposure time of 1.73 h, and presence of pepsin and pH 3, exposure time of 1.98 h, and absence of pepsin. These results can optimize strain selection with rigorous acid tolerance without confusion by unifying the conditions for the acid tolerance test. IMPORTANCE The acid tolerance test, which is the first step in selecting probiotics, is not standardized and can often cause confusion in the interpretation of results. Thus, in the present study, we optimized the conditions for the acid tolerance test using response surface methodology. These optimized conditions can be used to screen for strains with acid tolerance.

Exercise with 40-Hz light flicker improves hippocampal insulin signaling in Alzheimer disease mice.

We examined whether exercise is associated with hippocampus-mediated improvement in insulin signaling and cell differentiation in the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer disease (3xTg AD) murine model following exposure to 40-Hz light flickering and exercise. We subjected 12-month-old 3xTg AD mice to exercise and 40-Hz light flickering for 3 months. The exercise session was proceeded for 12 consecutive weeks with gradual increase of intensity. To investigate insulin signaling proteins, western blot was conducted to detect the ratio of phosphorylated insulin receptor ß (p-IRß)/total IRß (t-IRß), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 (p-IRS-1)/total IRS-1 (t-IRS-1), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase (p-PI3K)/total PI3K (t-PI3K), phosphorylated 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase-1 (p-PDK1)/total PDK-1 (t-PDK1), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt)/total-Akt (t-Akt), and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (p-GSK3ß)/total GSK3ß (t-GSK3ß). Doublecortin immunohistochemistry was performed for assessing cell differentiation in the hippocampus. Treatments exerted a positive effect. The combination of exercise and 40-Hz light flickering exposure was the most effective treatment enhancing insulin signaling. Increased ratio of p-IRß/t-IRß, p-IRS-1/t-IRS-1, p-PI3K/t-PI3K, p-PDK1/t-PDK1, p-Akt/t-Akt, and p-GSK3ß/t-GSK3ß and enhanced cell differentiation were observed in the 3xTg AD with exercise under 40-Hz light flickering group. Our results indicate that exercise under 40-Hz light flickering most potently improved insulin signaling, thereby promoted cell differentiation.

Effects of exercise and microbiota transplant on the memory of obesity-induced mice.

This study attempted to investigate the association between changes in the intestinal environment and the brain using a model that received aerobic exercise and microbiome transplantation. All mice were fed a diet containing 60% fat. For the obesity with nonexercise microbiome transplantation group, feces from donors that did not undergo exercise were administered. For the obesity with exercise microbiome trans-plantation group, feces from donors who underwent exercise were administered. Treadmill exercise started 16 weeks after the intake of the high fat feeding and continued for 24 weeks. The short-term memory and spatial learning memory were determined by step-down avoidance test and Morris water maze task, immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein, western blot analysis for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B were performed in the hippocampus. Exercise was the most effective way to reduce obesity, improve memory function, suppress inflammation, and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. Intestinal microbiota transplantation was the second most effective after exercise. However, there was no significant difference in the fecal microbiota transplant group according to whether or not exercise was performed.