This study aims to evaluate the effects of eight weeks of resistance exercises on expression of neurotrophins and Trk receptors in Alzheimer model male Wistar rats. For this purpose, 32 mature male Wistar rats with mean weights of 230 to 280 g were chosen and divided into Alzheimer and Sham groups. Rats in the Sham group received normal saline while rats in the Alzheimer group received STZ via intraventricular injection. These rats were then divided into the following four subgroups: 1. Resting Sham, 2. Exercising Sham, 3. Resting Alzheimer, and 4. Exercising Alzheimer. The two exercising rat subgroups, exercised three times a week for a period of eight weeks. A weight was attached to their tails and they had to carry this weight on a 26-step ladder in each cycle. Resting groups were handled every day to minimize the effects of stress level. At the end of the 8th week and 24 hours after the last exercise session (to avoid the effects of the last exercise session), the rats were put under deep anesthesia and scarified by head separation. Hippocampus tissues were precisely extracted and samples were sent to laboratory for molecular and cellular tests. In order to investigate gene expression, Quantitative RT-PCR was used. Results of the tests for comparing the means of BDNF, NT3, NGF, TrkA, and TrkB in two rat groups showed that with error levels of less than 5% and confidence of over 95%, there is a significant difference in the amounts of BDNF, NT3, NGF, TrkA, and TrkB between exercising rats and resting rats. These amounts were much higher in exercising Alzheimer rats group. Eight weeks of resistance exercises increased the expression of BDNF, NT3, and NGF genes as well as TrkA and TrkB receptors in Alzheimer model Wistar rats.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of resistance exercise and donepezil on some neurotrophins gene expression and Trk receptors in the hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: In this study, 32 male adult Wistar rats (mean weight: 230 - 280 g) were assigned into two groups of AD and control. The control and AD groups received normal saline and streptozotocin (STZ) through intraventricular injection, respectively. Then, six subgroups were considered: (1) control rest (Con); (2) control exercise (Con-Exe); (3) Alzheimer’s rest (Alz); (4) Alzheimer’s exercise (Alz-Exe); (5) Alzheimer’s donepezil (Alz-Don); and (6) Alzheimer’s donepezil-exercise (Alz-Don-Exe). Donepezil was fed daily at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg to the treated groups. The three subgroups of exercising rats received exercises for eight weeks (three times a week). Each day, the resting groups were managed to decrease stress impacts. Twenty-four hours after the last session of exercise by the eighth week, deep anesthesia was applied, and the rats' heads were severed. Results: Considering an error rate below 5% (P < 0.05) and a confidence of more than 95%, a significant difference was observed in BDNF, NT3, NGF, TrkA, and TrkB values between exercising and donepezil-exercise rats compared to AD group. These values were considerably greater for donepezil-exercising Alzheimer’s group. Besides, the donepezil group was not significantly different from the Alzheimer’s group. Conclusions: Although the use of donepezil alone did not significantly increase the expression of the studied genes, the concomitant use of the drug and resistance training significantly increased the expression levels.