Effects of treadmill training on myelin proteomic markers and cerebellum morphology in a rat model of cuprizone-induced toxic demyelination

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). If demyelination is persistent, it will result in irreversible axonal injury and loss. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of treadmill training on myelin proteomic markers and cerebellum morphology in a rat model of cuprizone-induced toxic demyelination.

METHODS

Thirty male rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6 per group), consisting of a healthy control group (Control), a cuprizone (CPZ) group, and three exercise training groups: exercise training before and during the CPZ administration (EX-CPZ-EX), exercise training before the CPZ administration (EX-CPZ), and exercise training during the CPZ administration (CPZ-EX). A rat model of CPZ-induced toxic demyelination consisted of feeding the rats cuprizone pellets (0.2%) for 6 weeks. All exercise groups performed a treadmill training protocol 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Levels of Myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), axonal injury in the cerebellar tissue, and volume, weight, and length of the cerebellum were determined.

RESULTS

Results indicated a significant decrease in PLP and MOG in the CPZ groups compared to the Control group (****p < 0.0001). There was a significant increase in PLP and MOG and a significant decrease in axonal injury in the EX-CPZ-EX group as compared to other CPZ groups (****p < 0.0001), and CPZ-MS and CPZ-EX were not significantly different from one another. However, there were no significant differences between the groups for the volume, weight, or length of the cerebellum.

CONCLUSION

Treadmill training improved myelin sheath structural proteins and axonal injury in cerebellar tissue in a rat model of CPZ-induced toxic demyelination.