The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Improvement of Neuronal Inflammation Caused by Cerebral ischemia: Investigation of the Role of Microglia and Astrocytes

Neuronal inflammation is a complex set of interactions between inflammatory cells and molecules that occurs after cerebral ischemia, and significantly contributes to the development of ischemic pathology. In this study, the protective effect of aerobic exercise on neuronal inflammation of the hippocampus of male rats following cerebral ischemia was investigated with emphasis on the role of microglia and astrocytes.

18 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into three groups of ischemia, exercise and ischemia, and sham. Rats in the exercise group ran on the treadmill for 4 weeks, 5 days a week. Cerebral ischemia was induced by blocking both common carotid arteries (CCA) for 20 minutes. To evaluate the rate of neuronal inflammation based on astrocytes and activated microglia index, expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) protein were determined by immunohistochemical staining.

Aerobic training reduced the number of activated astrocytes and microglia in CA1 area of hippocampus after brain ischemia (P < 0.010).

Aerobic exercise reduces neuronal inflammation by decreasing the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and has protective effects against cerebral ischemia. According to the key role of neuroinflammation in the initiation of ischemic pathology signaling, this may be an important pathway to reduce ischemic brain injury.