The Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Hippocampal Glial Cells and Inflammatory Factor Expression in the Aging Process of Rats

Abstract

The objective is to analyze the impact of aerobic exercise on the activation of hippocampal glial cells and the expression of inflammatory factors in the aging process of rats. Methods: Thirty male SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) rats at 10 weeks of age were selected and divided into three groups: the sedentary group (A), the aging group (B), and the aging exercise group (C), with 10 rats in each group. The sedentary group (A) was raised for 6 weeks without exercise or aging intervention; the aging group (B) was continuously injected with D-galactose for 6 weeks without exercise intervention; the aging exercise group (C) was continuously injected with D-galactose for 6 weeks while simultaneously implementing exercise intervention, with 60 minutes of unassisted swimming per day, three times a week (swimming pool size 0.5m x 0.8m, water temperature 35±2°C). All groups were harvested at the end of 6 weeks. Compared with the sedentary group, the GFAP immunohistochemical staining in the hippocampal area of the brain was stronger in both the aging group and the aging exercise group, with more GFAP expression, darker positive reaction color, and higher average fluorescence intensity than the sedentary group; compared with the aging group, the aging exercise group had less GFAP expression, lighter positive reaction color, and lower average fluorescence intensity. All differences were significant (P<0.05). In the comparison of GSH levels in the hippocampal tissue of rats, the aging group had the lowest levels, indicating a decrease in the activation level of glial cells in the hippocampus, while the aging exercise group had higher GSH levels than the aging group, proving that exercise intervention in the aging process can effectively improve the activation level of hippocampal glial cells in rats.