Exercise on a moving platform elicits different gene expression of neurotrophins and receptors in the spinal cord of aged rats

Abstract

Proprioceptive training is highly common in rehabilitation of aged people to prevent injures or to enhance performance. This study aimed at determining whether the exercise on a moving platform induces changes in neurotrophins expression patterns in the lumber spinal cord of aged rats. Twelve aged male rats (2 years old) and ten adult male rats (10 weeks old) were randomly assigned to each two groups: exercised and non‐exercised groups. Animals were trained on a moving platform for 5 days a week for 4 weeks. We measure the relative of levels of neurotrophins (BDNF,NGF,NT3) and their receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC ) using quantitative real‐time PCR. The expression of each gene was compared between depots using comparative Ct method. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the one way ANOVA with the Tukey post hoc test.No statistically significant differences of the level of NT3, TrkC, and TrkA mRNAs were found among the groups. The expression of BDNF mRNA was significantly higher in the adult exercised group compared with the aged exercised rats. Level of NGF and TrkB mRNAs in the both old and adult non‐exercised groups were significantly higher than the adult exercised groups. TrkB level of expression in adult non‐exercised was significantly higher than aged non‐exercised rats. The changes in neurotrophins and receptors may have important consequences for neuroal plasticity and regeneration in the neuromuscular system.