The effect of a period of swimming training on Bax and BCL2 in the thymus gland of female rats before induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been shown to be suitable for studying the effects of exercise on multiple sclerosis pathophysiology. Considering the role of Bax and BCL2 proteins in cell apoptosis, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of swimming training before EAE induction on cell apoptosis in the thymus gland.

Totally, 30 mice were randomly divided into three groups (training+EAE, control+EAE, and control). The training program began (30 minutes/day, five days/week, and four weeks). To induce EAE, subcutaneous injection of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide was used for immunization and intraperitoneal injection of pertussis toxin was performed. Bax and BCL2 proteins were measured in thymus tissue.

EAE induction caused a significant increase in expression of Bax (p=0.001) and a significant decrease in expression of BCL2 (p=0.012) compared to the control group. The expression of Bax in the training+EAE group had a significant decrease (p=0.0001) compared to the control+EAE group and a significant increase compared to the control group (p=0.003). The expression of BCL2 in the training+EAE had a significant increase compared to the control+EAE group (p=0.001) and a significant decrease compared to the control group (p=0.01). The Bax/BCL2 in the control+EAE group increased significantly compared to the control group, and this ratio decreased significantly in the training+EAE group compared to the control+EAE group (p=0.002).

A swimming training before EAE reduces the severity of the disease and has modulating effects on apoptosis and inflammation.