EFFECT OF 12 WEEKS OF MODERATE INTENSITY ENDURANCE TRAINING ON BDNF LEVELS IN BOTH SIDES OF HIPPOCAMPUS AND SERUM OF MALE RATS

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has important roles in synaptic
plasticity, memory, and neuronal functions. It recognized as the most important factor in sports-induced
brain alterations also. Hippocampus is one of the neuronal region that affected in exercise and tarining.
Distribution of neurotrophins occurs in different regions of the brain and at higher levels in the
hippocampus. In this study, the effect of moderate intensity endurance training on the amount of BDNF
in the hippocampus and blood serum of male rats investigated.
Materials & Methods: The twenty healthy male Wistar rats with 200 g of weigth were prepared and
divided into two groups, called exercise and untreated (control) groups. Adapting the animals to the
training conditions was done and then the exercise started with a warm-up period of 5 minutes at the
speed of 8 m/min. After 10 minutes, the first course at 10 m/min, and the main training course for 40
minutes at a speed of 22 m/min carried on. The speed of cooling period was 8 m/min. The animals have
one hour of exercise per day and five days of training per week. In the final session, the blood samples
took intracardinally in the deeply anesthetized animals followed by perfusion of physiological serum
for brain removing and hippocampi extraction. BDNF measurements performed using ELISA kit and
data analysis done using student's t-test.
Results: The results showed that 12 weeks of training had a significant effect on the brain-derived
neurotrophic factor of 20 rats in blood serum (p=0.013) and hippocampi (p=0.049).
Conclusion: The findings of this study in parallel with other studies showed that BDNF in the training
group increased significantelly compared to control group. It showed that endurance exercise of
moderate intensity could increase neuronal function in the hippocampus of the rat. BDNF can be the
basis for the positive effects of the exercise on brain health. Exercise can increase BDNF expression,
efficacy and flexibility in pre-synaptic space and targeted synapses