Exercise Preconditioning Reduces Spatial Memory Disorder Induced by Cerebral Ischemia Via Increasing the Expression of Neurotrophins In Rat Hippocampus

The aim of this study was the study of effect of exercise preconditioning on spatial memory disorders and expression of BDNF and NGF proteins in the CA1 area of hippocampus following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in male rats. 21 male Wistar rats were randomly selected and allocated into three groups (sham, ischemia and exercise ischemia). The rats in exercise group were trained to run on the treadmill 5 days in a week for 4 weeks. Ischemia induced by occlusion both common carotid arteries for 20 minutes. Spatial memory performances of rats were evaluated by the Morris water maze. The level of proteins expression was determined by immunohistochemically staining. Exercise preconditioning significantly decreased the time and distance traversed to reach the platform in Morris water maze. Also, pre-ischemic exercise significantly increased the expression of BDNF and NGF proteins in the CA1 area of hippocampus compared to the ischemia group. Exercise preconditioning, probably via up-regulation of neurotrophic factors, could have neuroprotective effects against brain ischemia-reperfusion-induced injuries and improve short-term memory impairments induced by cerebral ischemia.