Physical Exercise Inhibits Cognitive Impairment and Memory Loss in Aged Mice, and Enhances Pre- and Post-Synaptic Proteins in the Hippocampus of Young and Aged Mice.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of swimming in the brain and behavior of young and aged mice. Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n = 12 per group, 3 and 18months old). The subdivision of the groups was: 3months-SED, 18months-SED, 3months-EXE, and 18months-EXE. SED mice did not swim, while EXE mice performed the physical exercise protocol. Training was initiated 48h after the adaptation week. Swimming sessions consisted of 30min, with no overload, 5days per week, for 4weeks. After the exercise protocol, it was revealed working and spatial memory were impaired in the 18months-SED group. Pre- and post-synaptic proteins were enhanced in the groups that swam when compared to the 3- and 8months-SED groups. Lipid peroxidation was greater in the aged mice that did not perform the physical exercise protocol and might have contributed to the cognitive impairment in this group. In conclusion, an aerobic physical exercise protocol, performed through regular swimming sessions, inhibited cognitive impairment, memory loss and lipid peroxidation in the aged mice, while pre- and post-synaptic proteins were enhanced in the hippocampus of young and aged mice.