Abstract
The enriched environment (EE) is a promoter of physical activity, by its characteristics such as ample room for movement and exploration, presence of wheels, tunnels and toys. The maintenance of animals in enriched environment can bring a range of benefits, but the majority of the researches investigate cognitive parameters and changes related to the nervous system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the maintenance of aged rats in enriched cages on biochemical and metric parameters. Wistar rats were randomly distributed (n=6) into two groups during 6 weeks: control (C) in a conventional cage and enriched environment (EE). The body mass were recorded weekly and the body length at the end of the study. After euthanasia, blood was collected for analysis of glucose, triglycerides and the brain was collected for analysis of mass. The EE group had higher brain mass and lower gain of body weight compared to control group. The control group animals had normal values of blood glucose and triglyceride levels, and the maintenance in an EE did not promote changes in these parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that the EE group increases brain mass and reduces the gain of body weight without changing the blood glucose and triglycerides in aged animals.
Highlights
The enriched environment (EE) can be defined as “a combination of complex inanimate and social stimulation" which provides the living being that dwelled therein better conditions for its development (ROSENZWEIG, 1978).This concept, applied to animal experimentation, it is basically a way to accommodate the animals in collective cages with large variations of objects that promote cognitive, sensorial, motor and social stimulations. (BLANCO et al, 2012; SZTAINBERG, CHEN, 2010; NITHIANANTHARAJAH, HANNAH, 2006).Objects that provide the achievement of physical activity in animals confined in the EE, such as wheels are of extreme importance for satisfactory results
When completing seventeen months, the animals survives during the period (12) were randomly distributed (n=6 rats/groups) in Control Group (CG) - conventional cages (40 x 35 x 17 cm) and Enriched Environment group (EE) - maintained in enriched cage (1.5 m x 50 cm x 35 cm), during 6 weeks
The present study investigated the effects of the maintenance of aged rats in the EE on biochemical and metric parameters
Summary
Objects that provide the achievement of physical activity in animals confined in the EE, such as wheels are of extreme importance for satisfactory results. The effects EE on the physical aspect, and biochemical analysis of animals confined in this type of housing has been little studied, despite the physical activity be cornerstone between the stimuli provided by EE. In a relevant study, Kobilo et al (2011) investigated the effects of physical activity in EE and concluded that this environment can promote some benefits to the organism such as the increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In reference to aged animals, physical activity is linked to the non-pharmacological treatment for loss of cognition and promoting its improvement. The benefits of physical activity can be exemplified as, increase of neurons, improvement of hormonal action, maintenance of healthy weight, and improvement of insulin sensitivity, among others. (HOLLOSZY et al, 2005)
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