Effects of genistein and swimming exercise on spatial memory and expression of microRNA ۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ genes in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats

Objective(s): The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of genistein and exercise on the spatial memory and expression of microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty animals were divided into six groups of control, sham, ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomized with ۸ weeks of genistein administration (OVX.G), with ۸ weeks of swimming training (OVX.E), and with ۸ weeks of both of them (OVX.G.E). The effect of genistein and/or exercise was evaluated by measuring microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ expression levels in the hippocampus tissue. Grafts were analyzed using Real-time polymerase chain reaction for microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, IGF-۱, and spatial memory via a Morris water maze (MWM).  Results: Our findings showed that ovariectomy decreased the expression of microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ in the hippocampus (P<۰.۰۵) in comparison with the sham group as well as performance in the water maze (P<۰.۰۵). Also according to results ovariectomized groups that were treated with genistein/exercise or both of them showed significant difference in expression of microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ in the hippocampus (P<۰.۰۵) and decreased latency in MWM (P<۰.۰۵) compared with the OVX group but combination treatment was more effective in the OVX.G.E group in comparison with OVX.E and OVX.G groups.  Conclusion: Overall our results emphasized that combination treatment with genistein and exercise could improve microRNA-۱۳۲, BDNF, and IGF-۱ expression in the hippocampus as well as the spatial memory of ovariectomized rats. These effects may have beneficial impacts on the menopausal period.

Keywords:

Exercise , Genistein , microRNAs , Ovariectomy , Spatial Memory