The Effects of Voluntary Swimming on iNOS and COX-2 Protein Contents as Well as Memory and Motor Performance in Cuprizone-Induced Multiple Sclerosis Rats Model

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system and is mediated by the immune system. Since physical activity has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of voluntary swimming activity on the iNOS & COX-2 protein content, as well as the cognitive and motor performance of the Multiple Sclerosis rats model.

In the present study, 20 rats with an average age of 12 weeks were categorized into four groups, including healthy control, MS control, healthy training, and MS training. To induce MS, the rats of the MS groups were fed food infused with 0.5%cuprizone throughout the entire 12-week research protocol. After the end of 6 weeks of training protocol and conducting behavioral tests, the hippocampus tissue was extracted, and the number of proteins was measured using the western blot method.

The results of the memory and motor function tests revealed that subjects with MS had impaired memory function, motor activity, and difficulty maintaining balance. However, following a period of swimming activity, these functions significantly improved. The results also showed that the levels of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in the MS control group were significantly elevated compared to the healthy control group. On the other hand, the MS training group showed significant reductions in the levels of these proteins compared to the MS control group.

Based on the results of the current research, voluntary swimming exercise activity could potentially lead to more nerve protection and improvement of memory function, motor activity, and balance in patients with MS and can be promising as a non-pharmacological treatment strategy.