The Effect of Voluntary and Forced Exercise on the Expression Level of NCAM-PSA Protein in the Neuromuscular Junction of Soleus Muscle in a Mice Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model

It has been suggested the neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) are one of the main factors that play a role in progress or control of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been recently shown that exercises increase the NCAM expression in myofibres. This study aimed to investigate the effect of forced and voluntary training on the accumulation of NCAM-PSA in the neuromuscular junction in soleus muscles in pre and post-induction periods of an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model.

A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups including, induced control groups without EAE induction, induced EAE without training, induced EAE with forced, and voluntary training groups. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (200 μg in saline) was injected subcutaneously at the base of the tail of each mouse. Forced and voluntary pieces of training were done using a swimming program and treadmill, respectively. The mice were euthanized and the soleus muscles were then isolated for investigation of protein expression using IHC. 

In the control group, a significant increase in the mean percentage expression of NCAM-PSAin pre and post-soleus muscle was detected compared to the EAE with and without training as well as EAE without intervention group. The mean expression level of NCAM-PSA in the pre and post-soleus muscle were significantly increased in rat with treadmill group compared to the swimming group. The lowest expression was detected in EAE without intervention.

The findings of the present study showed that voluntary training increases the expression levels of NCAM-PSA in the neuromuscular junction of the soleus muscle. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of NCAM-PSA expression changes following exercise on muscular function in MS.