Background & Aims: There is no agreement on the protective effect of exercise on neurodegeneration processes, and the mechanisms responsible for exercise benefits in Parkinson disease (PD) yet. In this study we investigated the protective effect of 4 weeks of treadmill running with low intensity on the IGF-1, dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum of parkinsonian rats induced by stereotaxic surgery injection of nervous toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Materials & Methods: PD was induced by the injection of 6-OHDA in the striatum of male Wistar rats. In order to confirm rats with PD, cylinder behavioral rotation test was employed. Training encompassed 30 min/day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, on the treadmill at the rate of 15 m/min. Measurement of IGF-1, dopamine and tyrosine hydroxilase in the striatum were performed by ELISA.

Results: IGF-1, dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase levels in striatum were decreased after nervous toxin 6-OHDA injection. 4 weeks of treadmill running prior to 6-OHDA pretreatment could not prevent the level of this protein from decreasing. Furthermore, cylinder test results showed that performing forced running program with low intensity does not have a protective effect on inducing behavioral symptoms of PD.

Conclusion: It is revealed that 4 weeks of treadmill running with low intensity does not have a protective effect on behavioral symptoms and molecular changes against the PD-inducing nervous toxin. For absolute conclusion about the preventive usage of exercise as a protective non-pharmacological tool for brain’s health, further studies with different intensity and duration treatment are needed.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2017: 27(11): 966 ISSN: 1027-3727