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Intense Exercise Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice Brain

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Abstract

There are conflicts between the effects of free radical over-production induced by exercise on neurotrophins and brain oxidative metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intense physical training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, COX activity, and lipoperoxidation levels in mice brain cortex. Twenty-seven adult male CF1 mice were assigned to three groups: control untrained, intermittent treadmill exercise (3 × 15 min/day) and continuous treadmill exercise (45 min/day). Training significantly (P < 0.05) increased citrate synthase activity when compared to untrained control. Blood lactate levels classified the exercise as high intensity. The intermittent training significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in 6.5% the brain cortex COX activity when compared to the control group. BDNF levels significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in both exercise groups. Besides, continuous and intermittent exercise groups significantly (P < 0.05) increased thiobarbituric acid reactive species levels in the brain cortex. In summary, intense exercise promoted brain mitochondrial dysfunction due to decreased BDNF levels in the frontal cortex of mice.

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Abbreviations

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

COX:

Cytochrome c oxidase

CREB:

Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein

CS:

Citrate synthase

ETC:

Electron transport chain

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

mtDNA:

Mitochondrial DNA

NMDA:

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor

TBARS:

Thiobarbituric acid reactive species

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from CNPq/MCT (Brazil), CAPES/MEC (Brazil), UNESC (Brazil) and FAPESC (Brazil).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil

    Aderbal S. Aguiar Jr., Talita Tuon, Cléber A. Pinho, Luciano A. Silva & Ricardo A. Pinho

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil

    Ana C. Andreazza

  3. Bipolar Disorders Program, Research Center, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil

    Flávio Kapczinski

  4. Laboratory of Neurosciences, Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil

    João Quevedo

  5. Laboratory of Experimental Physiopathology, Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil

    Emílio L. Streck

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  1. Aderbal S. Aguiar Jr.
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  9. Ricardo A. Pinho
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Correspondence to Ricardo A. Pinho.

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Aguiar, A.S., Tuon, T., Pinho, C.A. et al. Intense Exercise Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice Brain. Neurochem Res 33, 51–58 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9406-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9406-x

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