The effect of high intensity interval swimming on LRRK2 and mir-205 gene expression in rats with Parkinson’s disease

Dysregulation of miRNAs will result in development and progression of numerous diseases, such as in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The effect of exercise training on mechanisms of development and progression of PD are not well known. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of high intensity interval swimming on LRRK2 and mir-205 gene expression in rats with PD.

PD induced in fourteen 8 to 10-week-old male Wistar rats by injection of 1 mg/kg reserpine during 5 days. Then, these rats were divided into PD group or training group. Seven rats were considered as the healthy control group without any reserpine injection. The rats in the training group performed high intensity interval swimming, including 20 times of 30 seconds of swimming with 30 seconds of rest between each time for 6 weeks. 48h after last session of training, sacrificed animals and hypocampic LRKK2 and mir-205 gene expression was measured. To analyze data, the statistical method of one-way analysis of variance was used with significance P<0.05.

The results indicated that LRRK2 gene expression were higher in the PD group compare to the healthy group and training group (P=0.001 and P=0.001 respectively) and no significant difference was observed between training group and healthy group (P=0.1). mir-205 gene expression was lower in the PD group compare to the healthy group and training group (P=0.001 and P=0.01 respectively). There was negative correlation between hypocampic LRKK2 and mir-205 gene expression (r=-0.71 and P=0.01).

It seems that high intensity interval swimming improves PD by reducing LRRK2 and increasing mir-205 gene expression.