title: Swimming exercise stimulates neuro-genesis in the subventricular zone via increase in synapsin I and nerve growth factor levels.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of 8-weeks of swimming exercise on neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and on the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and synapsin I protein in the olfactory bulb (OB) of adult rats at a series of relevant time points (2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months). Ninety-six male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: (1) a control group (COG; n = 48, n = 8 for each time point) and (2) a swimming exercise group (SEG; total n = 48; n = 8 for each time point). SEG performed swimming exercise for 5 days per week over a period of 8 weeks. We found that the number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-monophosphate (BrdU)- and doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells was significantly higher in SEG than in COG at all time points (Day 2, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Month 3, and Month 6; p < 0.001). Furthermore, NGF and synapsin I protein levels were significantly higher in SEG on Day 2, and Weeks 1, 2, and 4 than in COG (p < 0.05 for each time point). Our findings suggest that regular swimming exercise in adult rats increases neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and neuronal maintenance in the SVZ; furthermore, swimming exercise increases the levels of NGF and synapsin I in the OB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports and Well-Being, Hanyang University, Sa-3 dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 425-791, South of Korea.
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Health Center of Changwon city, Sinwol-dong, Changwon 641-724, South of Korea.
authors.forename: S-L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports and Well-Being, Hanyang University, Sa-3 dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 425-791, South of Korea.
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports and Well-Being, Hanyang University, Sa-3 dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 425-791, South of Korea.
authors.forename: B-Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports and Well-Being, Hanyang University, Sa-3 dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 425-791, South of Korea.
authors.forename: T-W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical of Education, Hanyang University, Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, South of Korea.
authors.forename: S-W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Education in Living, Bucheon College, Simgok-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon 420-735, South Korea.
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Sport Science, Korea National Sport University, Oryun-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-763, South of Korea.
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Sport Science, Korea National Sport University, Oryun-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-763, South of Korea.
authors.forename: H-T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: brain; neurotrophic factors; olfactory bulb; physical training; progenitor cells; rats