scholarly journals Treadmill Exercise Induces Hippocampal Astroglial Alterations in Rats

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caren Bernardi ◽  
Ana Carolina Tramontina ◽  
Patrícia Nardin ◽  
Regina Biasibetti ◽  
Ana Paula Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Treadmill Exercise ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Glutamate Uptake ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Synaptic Remodeling ◽  
Neuroprotective Strategy ◽  
Uptake Activity ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Physical exercise effects on brain health and cognitive performance have been described. Synaptic remodeling in hippocampus induced by physical exercise has been described in animal models, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Changes in astrocytes, the glial cells involved in synaptic remodeling, need more characterization. We investigated the effect of moderate treadmill exercise (20 min/day) for 4 weeks on some parameters of astrocytic activity in rat hippocampal slices, namely, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamate uptake and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities, glutathione content, and S100B protein content and secretion, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and glucose uptake activity in this tissue. Results show that moderate treadmill exercise was able to induce a decrease in GFAP content (evaluated by ELISA and immunohistochemistry) and an increase in GS activity. These changes could be mediated by corticosterone, whose levels were elevated in serum. BDNF, another putative mediator, was not altered in hippocampal tissue. Moreover, treadmill exercise caused a decrease in NO content. Our data indicate specific changes in astrocyte markers induced by physical exercise, the importance of studying astrocytes for understanding brain plasticity, as well as reinforce the relevance of physical exercise as a neuroprotective strategy.

scholarly journals Physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood: a conceptual and comprehensive review

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk I. Erickson ◽  
Destiny L. Miller ◽  
Andrea M. Weinstein ◽  
Stephanie L. Akl ◽  
Sarah Banducci
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Cognitive Problems ◽  
Expected Increase

A growing body of evidence from neuroscience, epidemiology, and kinesiology suggests that physical activity is effective as both a prevention and treatment for cognitive problems throughout the lifespan. Given the expected increase in the proportion of older adults in most countries over the next 40 years, physical activity could be a low-cost and relatively accessible method for maintaining cognitive function throughout later life. Despite the emerging recognition of physical activity as a powerful method to enhance brain health, there is continued confusion from both the public and scientific communities about what the extant research has discovered about the potential for physical activity to improve neurocognitive health and which questions remain unanswered. In this review, we outline four overarching themes that provide a conceptual structure for understanding the questions that have been asked and have been addressed, as well as those that have yet to be answered. These themes are descriptive, mechanistic, applied, and moderating questions. We conclude from our review that descriptive questions have been the first and most thoroughly studied, but we have much yet to learn about the underlying mechanisms, application, and moderating factors that explain how and to what extent physical activity improves brain health.

scholarly journals Neuroprotective Effects of Physical Activity via the Adaptation of Astrocytes

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1542
Author(s):  
Grazia Maugeri ◽  
Velia D’Agata ◽  
Benedetta Magrì ◽  
Federico Roggio ◽  
Alessandro Castorina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Glutamate Uptake ◽  
Trophic Factors ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Brain

The multifold benefits of regular physical exercise have been largely demonstrated in human and animal models. Several studies have reported the beneficial effects of physical activity, both in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system (CNS). Regular exercise improves cognition, brain plasticity, neurogenesis and reduces the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, making timeless the principle of “mens sana in corpore sano” (i.e., a healthy mind in a healthy body). Physical exercise promotes morphological and functional changes in the brain, acting not only in neurons but also in astrocytes, which represent the most numerous glial cells in the brain. The multiple effects of exercise on astrocytes comprise the increased number of new astrocytes, the maintenance of basal levels of catecholamine, the increase in glutamate uptake, the major release of trophic factors and better astrocytic coverage of cerebral blood vessels. The purpose of this review is to highlight the effects of exercise on brain function, emphasize the role of astrocytes in the healthy CNS, and provide an update for a better understanding of the effects of physical exercise in the modulation of astrocyte function.

scholarly journals Remote Ischemic Postconditioning vs. Physical Exercise After Stroke: an Alternative Rehabilitation Strategy?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaokun Geng ◽  
Qingzhu Wang ◽  
Hangil Lee ◽  
Christian Huber ◽  
Melissa Wills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Treadmill Exercise ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Ischemic Postconditioning ◽  
Synaptic Proteins ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Neurobehavioral Function ◽  
Remote Ischemic Postconditioning ◽  
Function Tests

AbstractThere remain debates on neuroprotection and rehabilitation techniques for acute ischemic stroke patients. Therapeutic physical exercise following stroke has shown promise but is challenging to apply clinically. Ischemic conditioning, which has several clinical advantages, is a potential neuroprotective method for stroke rehabilitation that is less understood. In the present study, the rehabilitative properties and mechanisms of physical exercise and remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) after stroke were compared and determined. A total of 248 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: (1) sham, (2) stroke, (3) stroke with intense treadmill exercise, (4) stroke with mild treadmill exercise, and (5) stroke with RIPostC. Focal ischemia was evaluated by infarct volume and neurological deficit. Long-term functional outcomes were represented through neurobehavioral function tests: adhesive removal, beam balance, forelimb placing, grid walk, rota-rod, and Morris water maze. To further understand the mechanisms underlying neurorehabilitation and verify the presence thereof, we measured mRNA and protein levels of neuroplasticity factors, synaptic proteins, angiogenesis factors, and regulation molecules, including HIF-1α, BDNF, TrkB, and CREB. The key role of HIF-1α was elucidated by using the inhibitor, YC-1. Both exercise intensities and RIPostC significantly decreased infarct volumes and neurological deficits and outperformed the stroke group in the neurobehavioral function tests. All treatment groups showed significant increases in mRNA and protein expression levels of the target molecules for neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and angiogenesis, with intermittent further increases in the RIPostC group. HIF-1α inhibition nullified most beneficial effects and indicative molecule expressions, including HIF-1α, BDNF, TrkB, and CREB, in both procedures. RIPostC is equally, or superiorly, effective in inducing neuroprotection and rehabilitation compared to exercise in ischemic rats. HIF-1α likely plays an important role in the efficacy of neuroplasticity conditioning, possibly through HIF-1α/BDNF/TrkB/CREB regulation.

scholarly journals GLT-1 overexpression attenuates bladder nociception and local/cross-organ sensitization of bladder nociception

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (6) ◽  
pp. F1353-F1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yang ◽  
K. Roman ◽  
D.-F. Chen ◽  
Z.-G. Wang ◽  
Y. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Uptake ◽  
Glutamate Transporter ◽  
Vehicle Group ◽  
Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Nociceptive Response ◽  
Bladder Distension ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Visceromotor Response ◽  
Colonic Distension ◽  
Uptake Activity

Glutamatergic pathways mediate transmission of pain. Strategies to reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission may have beneficial effects to mitigate nociception. Recent work revealed that overexpression of the astrocytic glutamate transporter (GLT-1) by transgenic or pharmacologic approaches produced a diminished visceral nociceptive response to colonic distension. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of GLT-1 overexpression on the visceromotor response to bladder distension. Increased glutamate uptake activity produced by 1-wk ceftriaxone (CTX) treatment attenuated 60–64% the visceromotor response to graded bladder distension compared with vehicle-treated mice. One-hour pretreatment with selective GLT-1 antagonist dihydrokainate reversed the blunted visceromotor response to bladder distension produced by 1-wk CTX, suggesting that GLT-1 overexpression mediated the analgesic effect of CTX. Moreover, sensitization of the visceromotor response to bladder distension produced by local bladder irritation (acrolein) was also attenuated by 1-wk CTX treatment. A model of cross-organ sensitization of bladder visceromotor response to distension was next studied to determine whether increased expression of GLT-1 can mitigate colon to bladder sensitization. Intracolonic trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) administered 1 h before eliciting the visceromotor response to graded bladder distension produced a 75–138% increase in visceromotor response compared with animals receiving intracolonic vehicle. In marked contrast, animals treated with 1-wk CTX + intracolonic TNBS showed no enhanced visceromotor response compared with the 1-wk vehicle + intracolonic vehicle group. The study suggests that GLT-1 overexpression attenuates the visceromotor response to bladder distension and both local irritant-induced and cross-organ-sensitized visceromotor response to bladder distension.

Autoantibodies reacting with vasopressin and oxytocin in relation to cortisol secretion in major depression

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 904-904
Author(s):  
F.D. Garcia ◽  
Q. Coquerel ◽  
E. Kiive ◽  
P. Déchelotte ◽  
J. Harro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Cortisol Response ◽  
Cortisol Secretion ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Moderate Depression ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

IntroductionAbnormal vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) signaling may contribute to the altered activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in major depression; the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain.ObjectiveThis study characterized plasma levels and affinities of OT-and VP-reactive autoantibodies (autoAbs) with relation to disease severity and plasma cortisol response to physical exercise in patients with mild and moderate depression and healthy controls.MethodsPhysical exercise was used to elicit plasma cortisol response in 23 male depressive and 20 healthy subjects. All subjects were evaluated by the MADRS. Plasma levels VP-and OT-reactive IgG, IgA and IgM autoAbs were measured by ELISA, before and after the exercise, and affinity was measured by plasmon resonance.ResultsPlasma levels of OT-and VP-reactive total IgG autoAbs were lower in patients with moderate depression vs. controls and patients with mild depression. Both OT- and VP- free IgG autoAbs levels were negatively correlated with MADRS scores. Affinity values displayed 100 fold variability in both groups. Patients with moderate depression displayed blunted response of cortisol secretion to physical exercise. Baseline levels of VP total IgG and IgM autoAbs correlated negatively and of VP free IgG autoAbs correlated positively with plasma cortisol after physical exercise.ConclusionThese data show that changes of levels but not affinity of OT- and VP- reactive autoantibodies can be associated with the altered mood in subjects with moderate depression and that levels of VP-reactive autoAbs are associated with cortisol secretion.

scholarly journals New Directions in Exercise Prescription: Is There a Role for Brain-Derived Parameters Obtained by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Herold ◽  
Thomas Gronwald ◽  
Felix Scholkmann ◽  
Hamoon Zohdi ◽  
Dominik Wyser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Internal Load

In the literature, it is well established that regular physical exercise is a powerful strategy to promote brain health and to improve cognitive performance. However, exact knowledge about which exercise prescription would be optimal in the setting of exercise–cognition science is lacking. While there is a strong theoretical rationale for using indicators of internal load (e.g., heart rate) in exercise prescription, the most suitable parameters have yet to be determined. In this perspective article, we discuss the role of brain-derived parameters (e.g., brain activity) as valuable indicators of internal load which can be beneficial for individualizing the exercise prescription in exercise–cognition research. Therefore, we focus on the application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), since this neuroimaging modality provides specific advantages, making it well suited for monitoring cortical hemodynamics as a proxy of brain activity during physical exercise.

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