Sport Biosciences

The Effect of Aerobic Swimming on Synaptic Protein Expression and Improvement of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis Mice Model

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Soheila Banasadegh 1
Shahnaz Shahrbanian 1
Reza Ghara khanlou 1
Mohammadreza Kordi 2

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jsb.2024.379202.1638
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the CNS that impairs cognitive function during its progression. A notable alteration in the CNS of these patients is synaptic dysfunction, which precedes axonal and neural pathway demyelination. Previous research shows that physical activity is promising potential in the prevention and management of these conditions. This study aimed to examine the effects of swimming exercise on the levels of the presynaptic membrane protein SNAP25 in the brain tissue of female mice experiencing cognitive and inflammatory disorders, using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model.
Methods: A total of 21 C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups with equal numbers: control, EAE without exercise, and EAE with aerobic swimming exercise. Clinical scores were recorded daily, and SNAP25 protein levels were measured by Western blot method after the 4-week exercise period.
Results: The induction of EAE increased SNAP25 levels compared to the healthy control group, but swimming exercise reduced these levels by 27% (P-value=0.0003, F=42.92, EF=0.85). Additionally, clinical scores improved in the exercised mice with the disease.
Conclusion: Aerobic swimming for four weeks by regulating the expression of SNAP25 in the brain tissue and modulating the release of neural mediators and nutritional factors in the synaptic area improves the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms in mice model of MS.

Methods: A total of 21 C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups with equal numbers: control, EAE without exercise, and EAE with aerobic swimming exercise. Clinical scores were recorded daily, and SNAP25 protein levels were measured by Western blot method after the 4-week exercise period.

Results: The induction of EAE increased SNAP25 levels compared to the healthy control group, but swimming exercise reduced these levels by 27% (P-value=0.0003, F=42.92, EF=0.85). Additionally, clinical scores improved in the exercised mice with the disease.
Conclusion: Aerobic swimming for four weeks by regulating the expression of SNAP25 in the brain tissue and modulating the release of neural mediators and nutritional factors in the synaptic area improves the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and clinical symptoms in mice model of MS.

Keywords

EAE Induction
Synaptic Destruction
SNAP25
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Aerobic Exercise
Subjects
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Sport Biosciences
Volume 17, Issue 3
Autumn
Autumn 2025
Pages 5-17

  • Receive Date 10 July 2024
  • Revise Date 20 August 2024
  • Accept Date 22 August 2024

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