What is the combined effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo bilob plant on the neurotrophic factors levels, learning and memory in young rats ?

چکیده مقاله

Background: The effect of exercise and Ginkgo biloba on neurotrophic factors, learning and memory is unknown in young. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba on the hippocampal and serum levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), memory and learning in young rats. Methods: Fourty two eight week-old male rats were randomly divided into seven groups including control, vehicle of Ginkgo biloba, low dose of Ginkgo biloba (65 mg / kg), high dose of Ginkgo biloba (100 mg / kg), exercise, exercise + low dose of Ginkgo biloba, and exercise + high dose of Ginkgo biloba. The exercise protocol performed six days a week for six weeks. The Ginkgo biloba or vehicle was administered six weeks by gavage. The serum and hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 were measured by ELISA method. Learning and memory were evaluated by Morris water maze test. Results: Significant increases appeared in hippocampal levels of BDNF and NT-4 and also serum level of NT-4 following exercise protocol. The serum BDNF level increased after high dose of Ginkgo biloba consumpsion (P <0.05). Disorder in learning was indicated following the use of low dose of Ginkgo biloba and exercise + low dose of Ginkgo biloba; while it is elevated due to exercise. Moreover, Ginkgo biloba along with exercise did not affect hippocampal and serum levels of BDNF, NT-4 and leaning. Finally, the memory did not influence by either Ginkgo biloba or exercise .Conclusion: Exercise in young rats may increase brain neurotrophins levels and lead to preventing Alzheimer in aging. Although the preventative or protective role of Ginkgo biloba against some diseases has been suggested, its consumption in young rats should be with caution. The combined application of intense intermittent exercise and Ginkgo biloba is probably not effective on learning and memory in young rats.