Moderate Exercise Combined with Enriched Environment Enhances Learning and Memory through BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway in Rats

Liyuan Xu, Linna Zhu, Lina Zhu, Dandan Chen, Kelong Cai, Zhimei Liu and Aiguo Chen
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Liyuan Xu: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Linna Zhu: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Lina Zhu: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Dandan Chen: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Kelong Cai: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Zhimei Liu: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Aiguo Chen: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of exercise combined with an enriched environment on learning and memory in rats. Forty healthy male Wistar rats (7 weeks old) were randomly assigned into 4 groups ( N = 10 in each group): control (C) group, treadmill exercise (TE) group, enriched environment (EE) group and the TE + EE group. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability in all rats after eight weeks of exposure in the different conditions. Moreover, we employed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in the rats. The data showed that the escape latency and the number of platform crossings were significantly better in the TE + EE group compared to the TE, EE or C groups ( p < 0.05). In addition, there was upregulation of BDNF and TrkB in rats in the TE + EE group compared to those in the TE, EE or C groups ( p < 0.05). Taken together, the data robustly demonstrate that the combination of TE + EE enhances learning and memory ability and upregulates the expression of both BDNF and TrkB in rats. Thus, the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway might be modulating the effect of exercise and enriched environment in improving learning and memory ability in rats.

Keywords: combined intervention; exercise; enriched environment; learning and memory ability; BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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