Exercise Reduces Pro-Apoptotic Bax Expression and Increases Neuronal Count in the CA1 and CA3 Regions of the Hippocampus in Type 2 Diabetic Wistar Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can damage hippocampal neurons, partly through increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Exercise has been shown to reduce Bax expression in the hippocampus and may have neuroprotective effect. This study examined the effect of swimming exercise on Bax expression and neuronal count in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus in T2DM rats.  Twenty-seven male Wistar strain rats were randomized into four groups: normal control (C, n=6); T2DM rats without six weeks follow-up (D, n=7); sedentary T2DM rats with six weeks follow-up (DS, n=7); and T2DM rats subjected to swimming exercise for six weeks (DE, n=7). A combination of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection was utilized for T2DM induction. Hippocampal Bax expression of CA1 and CA3 neurons was examined using immunohistochemistry analysis. The number of neuron cells was counted, as well as neuron cells expressing Bax. The DS group had noticeably more Bax expression and reduced neuronal count in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions than the C group (p < 0.05). With the intervention of swimming exercise over six weeks, the Bax expression in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the DE group was significantly lower compared to the DS group (p<0.05). In addition, neuronal count in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions of the DE group was significantly higher compared to that of the DS group (p < 0.05). Swimming exercise can reduce Bax expression and increasing neuronal count in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions of T2DM rats. These findings suggest that exercise may serve as a neuroprotective strategy to prevent hippocampal deterioration in T2DM.

Exercise Reduces Pro-Apoptotic Bax Expression and Increases Neuronal Count in the CA1 and CA3 Regions of the Hippocampus in Type 2 Diabetic Wistar Rats Keywords:

Bax , Hippocampus , Neuron , Swimming exercise , Type 2 diabetes mellitus