The effects of weight training and Aklil-ol-Malek on histopathology and C-reactive protein, nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 beta-site Amyloid Precursor protein cleaving enzyme1 genes expression in Alzheimer's disease model rats

Background

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are key factors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exercise and Aklil-ol-Malek may reduce AD symptoms. Therefore, the current study investigated the effect of weight training and Aklil-ol-Malek consumption on histopathological and inflammatory changes in hippocampal tissue of male AD model rats.

Method

We prepared 55 8-week-old male Wistar rats and transferred them to an animal laboratory. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: healthy control group, Alzheimer's control group, Alzheimer's group + weight training, Alzheimer's group + Aklil-ol-Malek supplement, and Alzheimer's group + Aklil-ol-Malek supplement + weight training. AD was induced in the 4 groups. The weight training protocol and Aklil-ol-Malek supplementation were examined as an intervention. The designated groups were administered Aklil-ol-Malek supplements. The anesthetized rats' hippocampi were extracted for further analysis 72 hours after the last session of the protocol. After the induction of AD and supplementation, two-way analysis of variance was used to examine the differences between groups (p < 0.05).

Results

The results showed a decrease in the expression of CRP and NFE2L2 genes in rats in the Aklil-ol-Malek and weight training group compared with the findings in rats in the Alzheimer's group. Changes in the expression of BACE1 were not significant in rats in the weight training with Aklil-ol-Malek group.

Conclusion

An intervention receiving exercise and Aklil-ol-Malek extract positively improved health and reduced AD progression. These results were likely to have been caused by the physiological effects of exercise and the antioxidant properties of Aklil-ol-Malek.