The effect of aerobic training and omega-3 consumption on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of male rats with homocysteine induced Alzheimer's disease

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely expressed in the brain, but it is reduced significantly in the brain of the patients with Alzheimer''s disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of low intensity aerobic training and Omega-3 consumption on hippocampal BDNF levels in male rat with homocysteine induced Alzheimer’s disease.
Material and 60 Wistar male rats (12 weeks old and mean weight of 222.31±11.91 g) were divided into six groups, including: Alzheimer’s rat with training, Alzheimer’s rat with training㩧3 intake, Alzheimer’s rat supplement of Omega 3, healthy control rat, Alzheimer’s control rat and sham. Alzheimer''s disease was induced by injection of homocysteine (0.6M) into the rat brain ventricle. Training with a speed of 20 meters per minute (intensity of 50-55% VO2max) was done for 5 days a week on the treadmill. Each session lasted 60 minutes. The supplement groups received, 800 mg per kg of Omega-3/day for 8 weeks. We used one-way analysis of variance for data analysis. P The results of this study showed that, 8 weeks of aerobic training and intake of omega-3, had no significant effect on the BDNF level in the hippocampus of Alzheimer induced rats (P=0.06).
According to the results of this study, it seems that aerobic training and use of omega-3 in the short-term cannot increase BDNF levels in the hippocampus of Alzheimer induced rats. But it is possible that aerobic training with higher intensity along with use of higher amounts of Omega-3 for longer periods may affect the BDNF level in the hippocampus.