Effect of One Session of Resistance Exercises on Expression of BDNF Gene and TrkB Receptor in Alzheimer Model Male Wistar Rats

Background & Objective: This study is intended to evaluate the effect of One Session of resistance exercises on expression of BDNF gene and TrkB receptor in Alzheimer model male Wistar rats.  Materials & Methods: 32 mature male Wistar rats with mean weight of 230 to 280 grams were chosen and divided into Alzheimer and Sham groups. Rats in Sham group received normal saline while rats in Alzheimer group received STZ via intraventricular injection. These rats were then divided into the following four subgroups: 1. Resting Sham, 2. Exercising Sham, 3. Resting Alzheimer, and 4. Exercising Alzheimer. The two exercising rat subgroups, exercised 3 times a week for a period of 8 weeks. Exercise included lifting weight from the ladder. At the end of 8th week and 24 hours after last exercise session, the rats scarified by head separation. Hippocampus tissue was precisely extracted and samples were sent to laboratory for molecular and cellular tests. To determine the gene expression, RT-PCR method was used for analyzing the data and ANOVA was used. Results: The amount of BDNF, and TrkB between exercising rats and resting rats. These amounts were much higher in exercising Alzheimer rats group. Conclusion: It seems that eight weeks of resistance exercises increased expression of BDNF gene and TrkA an TrkB receptor in Alzheimer model Wistar rats.