The effect of continuous aerobic training on myelination-related parameters in the frontal cortex of rats

Myelin-producing oligodendrocytes play an important role in supporting neuronal function in the mammalian nervous system. The formation of myelogenous oligodendrocytes from the ancestral oligodendrocyte cells requires the activity of a group of transcriptional regulators that are essential for the synthesis of myelin components. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of moderate intensity continuous training (MCT) on myelin-based protein (MBP) and myelin proteolipid (PLP) indices associated with myelination in the frontal cortex of rats.

16 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups of control and continuous training. The exercise program consisted of 24 minutes of continuous running on a treadmill for 8 weeks (5 sessions per week). At the end of the training period, the forehead cortex of rats was extracted to evaluate changes in gene expression. Data were analyzed using statistical methods of analysis of covariance and Mann-Whitney at a significant level (α≤0.05).

The results showed that continuous training significantly increased the expression of MBP and PLP genes in comparison with the control group.

It can be said that continuous moderate intensity training can be useful in accelerating the myelination process in the cerebral cortex and can be considered as a non-invasive method in this field.