Effects of voluntary, and forced exercises on neurotrophic factors and cognitive function in animal models of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly. Cognitive dysfunction represents a common and challenging non-motor symptom for people with Parkinson's disease. The number of neurotrophic proteins in the brain is critical in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. This research aims to compare the effects of two types of exercise, forced and voluntary, on spatial memory and learning and neurochemical factors (CDNF and BDNF). METHODS: In this research, 60 male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): the control (CTL) group without exercise, the Parkinson's groups without and with forced (FE) and voluntary (VE) exercises, and the sham groups (with voluntary and forced exercise). The animals in the forced exercise group were placed on the treadmill for four weeks (five days a week). At the same time, voluntary exercise training groups were placed in a special cage equipped with a rotating wheel. At the end of 4 weeks, learning and spatial memory were evaluated with the Morris water maze test. BDNF and CDNF protein levels in the hippocampus were measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS: The results showed that although the PD group without exercise was at a significantly lower level than other groups in terms of cognitive function and neurochemical factors, both types of exercise, could improve these problems. CONCLUSION: According to our results, 4 weeks of voluntary and forced exercises were all found to reverse the cognitive impairments of PD rats.

Protective effects of early exercise on neuroinflammation, and neurotoxicity associated by traumatic brain injury: a behavioral and neurochemical approach.

OBJECTIVE: The benefits of exercise in TBI have been proven. However, the time-dependent effects of exercise initiation and the involved mechanisms are controversial. We investigated the effects of preconditioning, continuous, early, and delayed treadmill exercise on motor behavior, brain edema, inflammation, and oxidative stress in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 male rats were assigned into two groups: sedentary control (Sham and TBI) and exercise groups: 1MB (preconditioning, initiation beginning at 1 month before trauma), 1MBA (continuous, initiation beginning at 1 month before and continuing 1 month after trauma), 24hA (early, initiation beginning at 24 h after trauma), and 1WA (delay, initiation beginning at 1 week after trauma). The rats in exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill five days a week for 30 min per day. Rotarod and open file were used to assess motor behavior. ELISA was also used to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and CSF. RESULTS: Exercise significantly decreased neurological impairments, motor deficits, and apoptosis compared with the sedentary group. Early (within 24 h) and ongoing (1 MBA) exercise significantly improved motor behavior after TBI. In addition, these exercise programs inhibited brain edema and the number of apoptotic cells. MDA and TNF-α levels increased in all exercise groups, but the effects were greater after early exercise than after delayed exercise, resulting in a significant decrease in TAC levels in serum and CSF. We discovered a positive correlation between MDA, TAC, and TNF-α concentration in serum and CSF. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that early exercise (24hA) and 1MBA groups afford neuroprotection and reduce the second injury consequence, probably by reducing neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress.

What is the combined effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba plant on the brain neurotrophic factors levels, and learning and memory in young rats?

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba on the hippocampal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and also memory and learning in young rats. METHODS: Forty two eight-week-old rats were randomly divided into six groups including control, low dose of Ginkgo biloba (65 mg/kg), high dose of Ginkgo biloba (100 mg/kg), exercise, exercise + low dose of Ginkgo biloba, exercise + high dose of Ginkgo biloba. The exercise protocol or Ginkgo biloba administration was six days a week for six weeks. The hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 were measured by ELISA method, and learning and memory were evaluated by Morris water maze test in all groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Increase in hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 appeared following exercise (p < 0.01). The levels do not change following exercise + Ginkgo biloba administration. However, the NT-4 level decreased in the high dose of Ginkgo biloba group (p < 0.01). Disorder in learning and memory was indicated following the use of low dose of Ginkgo biloba or exercise + low dose Ginkgo biloba administration (p < 0.001). Learning elevated in the exercise group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise in young rats may increase brain neurotrophin levels and lead to improved learning. The preventative or protective role of Ginkgo biloba against some diseases has been suggested, but its consumption in young athletes is recommended with caution.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Iranian Office Workers: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomic risks for Kerman University of Medical Sciences' office workers. Methods: The study sample comprised all office workers in the University and the sample included 129 women and 121 men. Data on MSDs were derived from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, while ergonomic data were collected through two direct observations via the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) method. Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence rates of MSDs were in the lower back (72.4%) and neck (55.2). Results of the postural assessment revealed that 68.8% of the participants' require "further investigation in order to modify their posture" and 27.6% need to "modify their posture soon." From the workstation analysis, the majority of the office workers were at a medium (55.2%) and high-risk level (27.6%). Results also revealed a significant association between some of MSDs in the lower back and neck with the RULA and ROSA score. Conclusions: Based on the results, for the prevention of MSDs, there should be ergonomics workshops for workers to be aware of ergonomics factors in the office. The ergonomics training must also be used in offices; the design of workstations should be improved.

Effects of Aerobic Exercises on Serum Levels of Myonectin and Insulin Resistance in Obese and Overweight Women.

Background and Aim: Obesity is associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes and insulin resistance. Myonectin is a myokine mostly secreted from skeletal muscles and inversely associated with obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic exercises on serum levels of myonectin and insulin resistance in obese and overweight women. Materials and Methods: Eighty obese women were assigned to exercise (34) and control groups (46). The exercise program comprised three weekly 45-minute sessions of aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks that included running with 50-70% of maximum heart rate (first 2 weeks - 50%; second week - 60%; third week - 65%; and the last 2 weeks by 70% of maximum heart rate). Twenty-four hours before and after the training session, fasting myonectin serum levels were measured. ANCOVA was used to assess differences between the groups. Results: Serum levels of myonectin in the experimental group increased significantly (P=0.000); however, insulin resistance significantly decreased in the experimental group (P=0.000). Conclusion: Therefore, considering the role of myonectin in increasing fatty acid uptake, exercise training can play an essential role in decreasing obesity-related diseases and metabolic syndrome; this effect is partly related to the roles of myonectin. Therefore, the use of this type of exercise is recommended to reduce the risk of diseases associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.