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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Abstract

Background/Objective: Gut flora plays an important role in host stress response, anxiety, depression and cognitive function through the gut-brain axis. Microbial diversity decreases with age, which in turn affects the function of the nervous system. The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of intestinal flora, gut-brain axis and nervous system function in the prevention of nervous system function decline in the elderly.

Methods: The sample consisted of 16, 52-week-old SPF C57BL/6 male mice that were randomly divided into two groups: a old control group (OC) and an old treadmill exercise group (OE). The mice underwent 16 W moderate intensity incremental load exercise. ELISA was used to detect 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Dopamine (DA) in the hippocampus. Serum and hippocampal glutamate and serum Acetylcholine (ACH) were determined by ultraviolet colorimetry. The expression of insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by Western blot. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing.

Results: (1) 5-HT and Glu in the hippocampus (P < 0.01), and DA and GABA in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P < 0.05) after aerobic exercise. Serum Glu and serum Ach in aerobic exercise group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). (2) The expression of BDNF, VEGF and IGF1 in the hippocampus of naturally aged mice were significantly increased after aerobic exercise (P < 0.01). (3) The results of Alpha diversity analysis showed that Shannon index, Simpson index and Chao1 in OE group were significantly increased compared with those in OC group (P < 0.01). The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Parasicutes were significantly increased, while the relative abundances of Proteobacteria in naturally aged mice were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) after aerobic exercise.

Conclusions: The composition of intestinal flora and the expression of central neurotransmitters in elderly mice were significantly improved after 16 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with incremental load. The expression of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN)-related proteins in hippocampus: VEGF, IGF1 and BDNF were significantly improved, and neurogenesis was promoted. Intestinal microbiota - gut - brain axis plays an important role in the improvement of hippocampal neurogenesis in elderly mice.

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