(470) Effect of environmental enrichment, associate or not to physical activity, on nociceptive and motor functions in an animal model of Fibromyalgia

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate walnut's effect alone and in combination with an enriched environment on brain aging of aged NMRI mice by investigation of cognition and motor functions. Furthermore, it aims to identify the underlying mechanisms by evaluating the expression of relevant genes. Methods NMRI mice (12mo.) were fed with a 6% walnut-enriched diet (WED) or control diet respectively, for the duration of 6 months. Additionally, one WED group was exposed to an enriched environment. Cognition and motor functions were assessed to evaluate walnut's effect on spatial memory, general physical activity and motor coordination. Conducted tests included Y-Maze alternation, open field and rotarod. Expression levels of relevant genes including synaptophysin, NGF and BDNF were measured via qPCR in brain tissue. Mitochondrial function was investigated by testing for ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential in dissociated brain cells and oxygen consumption of the oxidative phosphorylation system of freshly isolated mitochondria. Results Intake of the walnut diet significantly increased the alternation rate in a Y-Maze experiment (P < 0.05). Physical activity did not further improve this effect on spatial memory of mice, but increased mice’ activity (P < 0.001) in general. Motor function in rotarod test was not improved by walnut intake alone, but significantly increased by added enrichment (P < 0.01). Gene expression of synaptophysin was significantly increased for walnuts alone (P < 0.05), while BDNF and NGF expression appeared to be unaffected. Additional enriched environment resulted in a trend for these genes to be increased as well. Results imply that mitochondrial function is not linked to these improvements. Conclusions Long term walnut diet significantly improved cognitive function in aged mice. Physical activity additionally improved motor functions. These benefits could possibly be explained by increased expression of genes involved in neuronal plasticity. Funding Sources Grant from California Walnut Commission.

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Environmental enrichment protects against cognitive impairment following chemotherapy in an animal model.

Behavioral Neuroscience ◽

10.1037/bne0000155 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 130 (4) ◽

pp. 428-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Gordon Winocur ◽

J. Martin Wojtowicz ◽

Christina M. Merkley ◽

Ian F. Tannock

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Environmental Enrichment

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What Does the Animal Model Teach Us about the Effects of Physical Activity on Growing Bone?

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.18.3.282 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 282-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mark R. Forwood

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Animal Model ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Human Growth ◽

Skeletal Maturation ◽

Osteogenic Potential ◽

Static Loads ◽

Long Duration ◽

Human Growth And Development

Experiments to design physical activity programs that optimize their osteogenic potential are difficult to accomplish in humans. The aim of this article is to review the contributions that animal studies have made to knowledge of the loading conditions that are osteogenic to the skeleton during growth, as well as to consider to what extent animal studies fail to provide valid models of physical activity and skeletal maturation. Controlled loading studies demonstrate that static loads are ineffective, and that bone formation is threshold driven and dependent on strain rate, amplitude, and duration of loading. Only a few loading cycles per session are required, and distributed bouts are more osteogenic than sessions of long duration. Finally, animal models fail to inform us of the most appropriate ways to account for the variations in biological maturation that occur in our studies of children and adolescents, requiring the use of techniques for studying human growth and development.

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Physical activity–antidepressant treatment combination: impact on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavior in an animal model

Behavioural Brain Research ◽

10.1016/s0166-4328(00)00364-8 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (1) ◽

pp. 87-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 224

Author(s):

Amelia Russo-Neustadt ◽

Tony Ha ◽

Ronald Ramirez ◽

J.Patrick Kesslak

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Animal Model ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Treatment Combination ◽

And Behavior

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Peripubertal exposure to environmental enrichment prevents schizophrenia-like behaviors in the SHR strain animal model

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/j.schres.2016.06.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 176 (2-3) ◽

pp. 552-559 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Camila Mauricio Santos ◽

Fernanda Fiel Peres ◽

Mariana Cepollaro Diana ◽

Veronica Justi ◽

Mayra Akimi Suiama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Environmental Enrichment

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Brain plasticity and environmental enrichment in Ts65Dn mice, an animal model for Down syndrome

Neurocognitive Rehabilitation of Down Syndrome ◽

10.1017/cbo9780511919299.006 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 71-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adam Golabek ◽

Katarzyna Jarząbek ◽

Sonia Palminiello ◽

Marius Walus ◽

Ausma Rabe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Brain Plasticity

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Increased serum nIgM in voluntarily physically active rats: a potential role for B-1 cells

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00547.2002 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 660-667 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gwendolyn F. Elphick ◽

Benjamin N. Greenwood ◽

Jay Campisi ◽

Monika Fleshner

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Serum Protein ◽

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Wheel Running ◽

Killer Cell ◽

Total Serum Protein ◽

Total Serum ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Physically Active ◽

Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity

Moderate, habitual physical activity improves health, possibly because of beneficial changes in immune function. For example, physical activity can increase natural killer cell cytotoxicity, T cell proliferation, and macrophage function but has minimal impact on antigen-driven B-2-mediated immunoglobulin (Ig) responses. The following studies tested whether physical activity selectively impacts nonantigen-driven B-1-natural IgM (nIgM) but not antigen-driven B-2 Ig. Adult male, pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats in a barrier facility voluntarily ran in wheels from 7 to 56 days or were housed in an enriched environment for 56 days. Rats received either no antigen or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) to assess the B-2 response. Blood samples assessed serum nIgM, total IgG, total serum protein, anti-KLH IgM, and anti-KLH IgG. Physically active rats had higher serum nIgM after 7 days of running, and nIgM remained elevated over 56 days of running. In contrast, free-wheel running produced no changes in total IgG, total serum protein, anti-KLH IgM, and anti-KLH IgG. Environmental enrichment did not alter immune measures from controls. These results suggest that B-1, not B-2, cell responses are selectively impacted by physical activity. Because nIgM is important in multiple aspects of the immune response, an elevation in this innate humoral component could contribute to improved immunity in physically active organisms.

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