The Effect of Endurance Exercise on The Genetic Changes of Brain Neurotrophic Factors and P3NP in The Brain Tissue of Obese Rats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Khavaran Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

3 3. Associate professor, Department of General Courses, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 PhD student, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2025.88774.5042

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effect of endurance exercise on the genetic changes of brain neurotrophic factors and P3NP in the brain tissue of obese rats.
Material and Methods: In this experimental study, twenty male Wistar rats (eightweeks old, weighing 139.41 ± 10.23 g) were fed a high-fat diet containing 60% fat, 20% protein, and 20% carbohydrates for 12 weeks. Obesity was confirmed based on the Lee index, and all animals became obese following the high-fat diet. Afterward, rats were randomly assigned to endurance training and control groups. The endurance training program lasted eight weeks, five sessions per week, and included three stages: warm-up, main training, and cool-down. Exercise intensity was determined according to each rat’s maximal running speed and gradually increased from 40% to 70% of the maximum. The expression of Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and Procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide (P3NP) genes was evaluated using the Real-time PCR method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with Shapiro–Wilk, Levene, and independent t-tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The findings indicated that eight weeks of endurance training significantly increased the expression of NRG1 and P3NP genes in the brain tissue of rats compared to the control group (P = 0.001, d = 2.18; P < 0.001, d = 4.47).
Conclusion: Endurance training altered the expression of genes related to neurotrophic signaling pathways and extracellular matrix remodeling in the brain of obese rats. However, confirmation of these effects requires further studies assessing protein levels and functional outcomes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 69, Issue 1
May 2026
Pages 120-129

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