The Effect of 6 Weeks of Combination Training on NeuN and NF200 Factors and the Number of Living Cells in the CA1 Region of the Hippocampus of Male Wistar Rats: An Experimental Study

The combination of resistance and endurance training has a variety of effects on brain tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the tissue changes and NeuN and NF200 factors in the CA1 region of the hippocampus after 6 weeks of combination training in male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 30 rats were divided into 6 groups: young control and training (2 weeks), middle-aged control and training (8 weeks), and old control and training (24 months). Exercise groups were trained for 6 weeks with a combined program. To examine hippocampal tissue changes, gene expression of NeuN and NF200 and also NF200 protein, crystal violet method, real time-PCR method and immunohistochemistry were respectively used. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.

Compared to the control groups, the young (p=0.005) and middle-aged (p=0.008) exercise groups had a significant increase in living nerve cell and also the training groups of young (p=0.003), middle-aged (p<0.001) and old (p=0.021) showed a significant increase in NF200 protein in hippocampal tissue. In the study between the training groups, the young group had a significant increase in NF200 protein compared to the middle-aged and old groups (p <0.001). There was no significant difference among the three exercise groups in the expression of NeuN and NF200 genes (p>0.05).

6 weeks of combined training at young and Middle Ages have a better effect on living nerve cells. These exercises also significantly improved NF200 protein (without significant changes in genes). This difference seems to be influenced by measurement steps and other secretory sources.