Effect of Endurance Training with Saffron Consumption on PGC1-α Gene Expression in Hippocampus Tissue of Rats with Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of cognitive impairment that disrupts the mitochondrial function and metabolism of neurons. Studies have shown that training is a potent factor in enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and saffron with its antioxidant properties can improve neurodegenerative disorders effectively. Objectives: Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training (ET) with saffron consumption on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC-1α) gene expression in hippocampal tissue of rats with AD. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 rats with AD (induced by 8 mg/kg trimethyltin (TMT) injection were divided into five groups of eight rats, including (1) AD control, (2) ET, (3) ET with saffron, (4) saffron, and (5) sham. To investigate the effects of AD induction on PGC1-α, eight healthy rats were assigned to the healthy control group. During eight weeks, groups 2 and 3 ran on a treadmill for eight weeks, three sessions per week, for 15 -30 min at a speed of 15 -20 m/min per session. Groups 3 and 4 received 25 mg/kg aqueous extract of saffron peritoneally. One-way ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc, and two-way ANOVA tests were used for data analysis by SPSS software (P ≤ 0.05).Results: Alzheimer's disease induction significantly reduced PGC1-α gene expression (P = 0.001) while ET significantly reduced PGC1α gene expression (P = 0.01) in AD rats. Nevertheless, saffron significantly increased PGC1-α gene expression in AD rats (P = 0.001).The interaction of ET and saffron was significant in increasing PGC1-α gene expression in AD rats (P = 0.001). Conclusions: It seems that ET and saffron consumption have interactive effects on the increase of PGC1-α gene expression in the hippocampal tissue of rats with AD.

Changes in Some Observational Cardiac Parameters and Cardiac PGC1-α Expression Following Eight Weeks of Endurance Training and Saffron Consumption in Animal Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…5,9,11,20 Furthermore, Sa plant, with enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms, reduces NF-κB, IL-1, and TNF-alpha, increases BDNF, CREB, and VGF, regulates calcium channels, activates calcium-calmodulin and FOXO, improves neurotransmitters functions, regulates cell ion function, and increases PGC1-α, mitochondrial biogenesis, insulin sensitivity and weight loss. 25,26,28 Due to changes in heart weight and heart weight to body weight ratio, which require more pathological and physiological examination, one of the limitations of the present study is the lack of examination of pathological changes in the heart. Therefore, it is suggested that pathological examination be evaluated in future studies.…”

“…25 In addition, aerobic training and crocin consumption increased PGC1-α gene expression level in the hippocampus and increased aerobic capacity in rats with AD. 13,26 However, interval and continuous training along with crocin consumption did not have an interactive effect on calorie intake in rats with type 2 diabetes but it caused weight loss. 27 Exercise training, depending on the type and intensity of activity, has different effects on the biological pathways of the cell.…”

“…25 Additionally, Sa supplementation also increased PGC1-α gene expression level in the hippocampal tissue of AD rats. 26 In another study, the use of crocin as an active ingredient of Sa caused a relative improvement in aerobic capacity and reduced anxiety-like behaviors in rats with AD. 13 On the other hand, consumption of 25 mg/kg crocin had no significant effect on weight loss, calorie intake, and aerobic capacity in rats with type 2 diabetes.…”

3D-CNN Method over Shifted Patch Tokenization for MRI-Based Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Segmented Hippocampus

“…AD (Alzheimer's disease) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly [1]. Systematically, it is characterized by the impairment of memory and other intellectual abilities to such an extent that it affects the daily functioning of life.…”