Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2016, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (5): 807-815.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.182709

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Moderate exercise prevents neurodegeneration in D-galactose-induced aging mice

Li Li1, Meng Xu1, Bo Shen1, Man Li2, Qian Gao2, Shou-gang Wei2, *   

  1. "1 Department of Infectious Medicine, Beijing YouAn Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China 2 Department of Children’s and Women’s Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China"
  • Received:2015-09-19 Online:2016-05-20 Published:2016-05-20
  • Contact: Shou-gang Wei, Ph.D., lily690123@sina.com.
  • Supported by:

    "This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81373020; Beijing Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 7112014; a grant from the Science and Technology Development Project of Beijing Municipal Education Commission of China, No. KM201110025014; and a grant from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project of China, No. Z131107002213071."

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Abstract:

"D-galactose has been widely used in aging research because of its efficacy in inducing senescence and accelerating aging in animal models. The present study investigated the benefits of exercise for preventing neurodegeneration, such as synaptic plasticity, spatial learning and memory abilities, in mouse models of aging. D-galactose-induced aging mice were administered daily subcutaneous injections of D-galactose at the base of the neck for 10 consecutive weeks. Then, the mice were subjected to exercise training by running on a treadmill for 6 days a week. Shortened escape latency in a Morris water maze test indicated that exercise improved learning and memory in aging mice. The ameliorative changes were likely induced by an upregulation of Bcl-2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the repression of apoptosis factors such as Fas and Bax, and an increase in the activity of glucose transporters-1 and 4. The data suggest moderate exercise may retard or inhibit neurodegeneration in D-galactose-induced aging mice."

Key words: nerve regeneration, D-galactose, brain aging, behavioral performance, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal apoptosis, glucose transporters, synaptic plasticity, neurodegeneration, neural regeneration