Protective effect of swimming and genistein on the expression of microRNA 132, insulin growth factor 1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes, as well as spatial memory, in the hippocampus of diabetic ovariectomized rats

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to assess the effects of the combined use of exercise and genistein on the hippocampal expression of microRNA-132, IGF-1, and BDNF in type 2 diabetic ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar female rats in the weight range of 180-220 gr (n=10) were assigned to six groups: sham, ovariectomy, ovariectomized diabetic, ovariectomized diabetic treated with genistein for eight weeks, diabetic ovariectomized treated with swimming for eight weeks, and a group that was treated with both genistein and swimming for eight weeks. The effect of those treatments was assessed by the determination of microRNA-132, insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression levels within the hippocampus. These genes were evaluated by real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water maze. Results: Ovariectomy demonstrated a decrease in the expression of microRNA-132, IGF-1, and BDNF in the hippocampus, as well as spatial memory, in diabetic ovariectomized rats, which showed a greater reduction in the expression of those genes in rats (P<0.05). Nevertheless, genistein administration, swimming training, and a combination of them significantly up-regulated microRNA-132, BDNF, and IGF-1 expression, as well as spatial memory (P<0.05). Conclusions: As evidenced by the obtained results, the combined use of genistein and swimming could prevent estrogen deficiency effects in the hippocampus of ovariectomized diabetic rats