Swimming improves memory and antioxidant defense in an animal model of duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease, which is associated to progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. In humans, DMD has early onset, causes developmental delays, and is a devastating disease that drastically diminishes the quality of life of the young individuals affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a swimming protocol on memory and oxidative stress in an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Male mdx and wild type mice within 28 days were used in this study. The animals were trained in a stepped swimming protocol for four consecutive weeks. It was verified that swimming was able to reduce significantly the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonilation in gastrocnemius and hippocampus and striatum in exercised animals. Swimming has also prevented lipid peroxidation in diaphragm. Besides, this swimming protocol was able to increase free thiols in gastrocnemius, diaphragm and in all central nervous system structures. These results showed that a protocol of swimming as an aerobic exercise of low intensity, for four weeks, prevented aversive memory and habituation in mdx mice.