This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise training on age-induced microvascular alterations in the brain. Additionally, the association with the protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was also assessed. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary-young (SE-Young, n = 5), sedentary aged (SE-Aged, n = 8), immersed-aged (IM-Aged, n = 5), and exercise trained-aged (ET-Aged, 60 minutes/day and 5 days/week for 8 weeks, n = 8) rats. The MAPs of all aged groups, SE-Aged, IM-Aged, and ET-Aged, were significantly higher than that of the SE-Young group. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the SE-Aged and IM-Aged was significantly decreased as compared to SE-Young groups. However, rCBF of ET-Aged group was significantly higher than that in the IM-Aged group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of capillary vascularity (%CV) and the levels of VEGF and eNOS in the ET-Aged group were significantly increased compared to the IM-Aged group (P < 0.05). These results imply that exercise training could improve age-induced microvascular changes and hypoperfusion closely associated with the upregulation of VEGF and eNOS.

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Objective: During aging, an ineffective perfusion of tissues/organs is a major risk factor for several diseases. Age-induced oxidative stress has been proposed to correlate with this age-related microvascular dysfunction including angiogenesis impairment. It has been demonstrated that exercise training could ameliorate oxidative damage, as well as, enhance angiogenesis in various organs. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate whether exercise training can prevent alterations of capillary vascularity in brain and bone during aging. Design and method: Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sedentary-young (aged 4-6 months), sedentary-aged (aged 20-22 months) and train-aged (aged 20-22 months). The exercise program included swimming training 5 days/week for 8 weeks. We directly observed microvasculature of brain and bone by using a laser scanning confocal microscopic system. The microvascular networks were visualized by fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran and were analyzed for capillary vascularity by image analysis software. Blood was collected to determine the level of malondialdehyde, an indicator of oxidative stress. Results: In sedentary-aged group, the malondialdehyde level was significantly increased, whereas capillary vascularities in brain and bone were significantly decreased when