Objective PCOS is the most frequent female endocrine disorder, affecting 5%-10% of women, is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo-/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and CYP19 (aromatase) mRNA in the ovary of EV-induced PCOS rat model and the effect of the treadmill and running w...

The mesolimbic reward pathway is implicated in stress-related psychiatric disorders and is a potential target of plasticity underlying the stress resistance produced by repeated voluntary exercise. It is unknown, however, whether rats find long-term access to running wheels rewarding, or if repeated voluntary exercise reward produces plastic changes in mesolimbic reward neurocircuitry. In the c...

Most organisms display circadian rhythms that coordinate complex physiological and behavioral processes to optimize energy acquisition, storage, and expenditure. Disruptions to the circadian system with environmental manipulations such as nighttime light exposure alter metabolic energy homeostasis. Exercise is known to strengthen circadian rhythms and to prevent weight gain. Therefore, we hypot...

PURPOSE Voluntary loaded wheel running involves the use of a load during a voluntary running activity. A muscle-strength or power-type activity performed at a relatively high intensity and a short duration may cause fewer apparent metabolic adaptations but may still elicit muscle fiber hypertrophy. This study aimed to determine the effects of acute voluntary wheel running with an additional loa...

We hypothesized that voluntary wheel running results in increased secretion of oxytocin, a peptide involved in the stress response. An additional hypothesis was that prolonged exercise affects oxytocin levels in the heart, which is in line with the potential role of oxytocin in cardiovascular functions. Voluntary wheel running lasted 3 weeks and daily running distances increased progressively r...

Background. Previous surveys have shown that motor deficits precede the classical motor symptoms seen in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and that physical exercise may have beneficial effects on PD. Objectives. Here, we evaluated the potential of voluntary exercise to improve motor deficit in experimentally-induced Parkinson’s disease (6-OHDA) rats. Methods. Forty adult Wistar rats were ...