Effects of moderate physical exercise upon intracellular trafficking of neurotrophins and their receptors in the central nervous system of aged rats

Author(s)

Michael Fernandes de Almeida

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-09-16

Examining board members

Merari de Fatima Ramires Ferrari; Michele Schultz Ramos de Andrade; Andréa da Silva Torrão

• Advisor: Merari de Fatima Ramires Ferrari

Abstract

Physical exercise can attenuate the effects of aging on the central nervous system by increasing the expression of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes dendritic branching and enhances synaptic machinery, through interaction with its receptor TrkB. TrkB receptors are synthesized in the cell body and are transported to the axonal terminals, through SLP1, CRMP2, Sortilin and Rab27B, to where receptors are anchored to perform its physiological role. However, the aspects of the neurotrophin receptors traffic after physical training is still a matter of investigation. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the expression levels of TrkB receptor and their anterograde carriers in aged Lewis rats, model of neurodegeneration, and its relationship with moderate exercise training. Rats from the first experimental group were exposed to 1mg/kg/day of Rotenone (ROT) or DMSO for 4 weeks, and then subjected or not to moderate exercise running on treadmill, five days a week, 40 minutes a day, combined with the drug. Rats from the second experimental group were trained for 6 weeks, followed by exposure to rotenone during 4 weeks, rats were then subdivided into two groups, one that continued the exercise and the other became sedentary. Results suggest that exercise training appears to reverse or prevent the impairment related to neurodegeneration considering the proteins involved in BDNF signaling, and also that the magnitude and direction of these changes in directly related to the physical training protocol, as well as the area of the central nervous system analyzed (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15281-0 - Effects of moderate physical exercise upon intracellular trafficking of neurotrophins and their receptors in the central nervous system of aged rats
• Grantee: Michael Fernandes de Almeida
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master