Volume 12, Issue 2 (May 2024)
Res Mol Med (RMM) 2024, 12(2): 0-0 |
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Amiri A, Janbazi M, Jamali S R, Ehsani vostacolaee S, Shafia S. Impact of Physical Exercise on Anxiety, Cognitive Function, and Neurotrophic Factors in Ovariectomized Rats Exposed to Single Prolonged Stress. Res Mol Med (RMM) 2024; 12 (2)
URL: http://rmm.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-586-en.html
URL: http://rmm.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-586-en.html
1- , srshafia@yahoo.com
Abstract: (119 Views)
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric condition associated with anxiety, cognitive deficits, and neurobiological changes. Estrogen deficiency, such as occurs after ovariectomy or menopause, exacerbates PTSD symptoms and limits treatment options. Physical exercise has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention with neuroprotective effects, but its efficacy under estrogen-deficient conditions remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate-intensity forced running wheel (FRW) exercise on anxiety-like behaviors, recognition memory, and neurotrophic factors (BDNF and IGF-1) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of ovariectomized rats exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS) as a model of PTSD.
Methods: Adult female Wistar rats (n = 7 per group) were allocated to eight groups in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design based on ovarian status (sham vs. OVX), stress exposure (no stress vs. SPS), and physical activity (sedentary vs. FRW). FRW was performed 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks at 10 m/min (~60% VO₂max), indicating moderate intensity. Anxiety-like behaviours (%OAT, %OAE) and recognition memory (discrimination index) were assessed using standard behavioural tests. ELISA was used to measure BDNF and IGF-1 levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed using a three-way ANOVA (OVX × SPS × Exercise) with Tukey HSD post-hoc tests; the assumptions of normality and homogeneity were verified. Partial η² and Cohen’s d were reported for omnibus and key pairwise comparisons, respectively (α = 0.05, two-tailed).
Results: SPS exposure significantly increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired recognition memory in both control and ovariectomized rats. FRW exercise ameliorated anxiety and memory deficits and elevated BDNF and IGF-1 levels in control animals under both SPS and non-SPS conditions. However, in ovariectomized rats, the beneficial effects of exercise were confined mainly to non-SPS groups, with limited improvements observed in ovariectomized rats subjected to SPS. Estrogen deficiency diminished the neuroprotective and behavioral benefits of exercise under stress.
Conclusion: Moderate-intensity forced running wheel exercise effectively mitigates PTSD-related behavioral and neurochemical deficits in rats with normal ovarian hormone levels. Still, its efficacy is substantially reduced under estrogen-deficient conditions. These findings highlight the importance of hormonal status in determining the therapeutic potential of exercise for PTSD. Although the SPS model provides valuable insights into PTSD-like symptoms, it does not fully replicate the complexity of human PTSD; therefore, extrapolation to clinical settings should be approached with caution. Combined interventions, including hormonal support, may be more effective for post-menopausal populations.
Results: SPS exposure significantly increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired recognition memory in both control and ovariectomized rats. FRW exercise ameliorated anxiety and memory deficits and elevated BDNF and IGF-1 levels in control animals under both SPS and non-SPS conditions. However, in ovariectomized rats, the beneficial effects of exercise were confined mainly to non-SPS groups, with limited improvements observed in ovariectomized rats subjected to SPS. Estrogen deficiency diminished the neuroprotective and behavioral benefits of exercise under stress.
Conclusion: Moderate-intensity forced running wheel exercise effectively mitigates PTSD-related behavioral and neurochemical deficits in rats with normal ovarian hormone levels. Still, its efficacy is substantially reduced under estrogen-deficient conditions. These findings highlight the importance of hormonal status in determining the therapeutic potential of exercise for PTSD. Although the SPS model provides valuable insights into PTSD-like symptoms, it does not fully replicate the complexity of human PTSD; therefore, extrapolation to clinical settings should be approached with caution. Combined interventions, including hormonal support, may be more effective for post-menopausal populations.
Keywords: BDNF, Cognitive Function, Estrogen Deficiency, IGF-1, Moderate-Intensity Exercise, Ovariectomy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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