The effect of 4 week-long swimming exercise intervention on increased serotonin levels in male mice (Mus musculus)

Being overweight can be caused by an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure over a long period, and the brain plays an important role in controlling overeating responses. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating food intake and weight. Being overweight is associated with decreased serotonin levels. Decreased serotonin levels have an impact on increased health disorders and depression. The study aimed to analyse the effect of 4 week-long swimming exercise intervention on increased serotonin levels in male mice (Mus musculus). A total of 18 male mice (20-40 g), aged eight weeks with (Lee index (LI) ≥0.3) randomly assigned to three groups: COG (n = 6; control group without intervention), MEG (n = 6; moderate-intensity morning exercise group), and AEG (n = 6; moderate-intensity afternoon exercise group). Morning and afternoon exercise was carried out with a load of 5% of the total body weight of mice. Four weeks of exercise with a frequency of three times a week and were performed for 70% of the maximum duration per session. Blood collection was done 2 × 24 h after the last intervention. Measurement of serum serotonin levels using ELISA. Data analysis techniques using the one-way ANOVA test with SPSS version 17 software. The average levels of serum serotonin of COG were (56.29 ± 3.59 ng/ml), MEG (86.21 ± 18.44 ng/ml), AEG (82.73 ± 25.15 ng/ml), and (). The results of this study show that moderate-intensity exercises in the morning and afternoon increase serum serotonin levels in male mice. Therefore, moderate-intensity morning and afternoon swimming exercises can be used in controlling and inhibiting the over-eating response mediated by the serotonin.