Effect of regular exercise on ocular inflammation and mitochondrial biogenesis in experimental Alzheimer's disease model

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2025 Apr 15;71(3):117-123. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2025.71.3.14.

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of regular exercise on inflammation and mitochondrial biogenesis in the eye using a controlled experimental Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, Alzheimer, exercise, and Alzheimer with exercise. Molecular markers, including Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB), Fibronectin Type III Domain-Containing Protein 5 (FNDC5), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-Alpha (PGC-1α), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) were analyzed through real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1β) were analyzed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate exercise-induced changes in inflammation and mitochondrial function. NF-κB levels were significantly elevated in the Alzheimer group, reflecting neuroinflammation, while exercise partially mitigated these effects. Exercise increased FNDC5, PGC-1α, and SIRT1 levels, suggesting a role in promoting neuroprotection and mitochondrial biogenesis. However, MMP-2 and IL-1β effects were primarily observed at the gene expression level, without substantial changes in protein levels. The use of an Alzheimer-specific model reduced confounding factors, such as age-related pathologies, providing a clearer perspective on Alzheimer-associated ocular changes. These findings highlight the potential of exercise in modulating key molecular pathways involved in AD.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / complications
  • Alzheimer Disease* / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease* / pathology
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eye* / metabolism
  • Eye* / pathology
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Inflammation* / metabolism
  • Inflammation* / pathology
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Organelle Biogenesis*
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / genetics
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / metabolism
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sirtuin 1 / genetics
  • Sirtuin 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Sirtuin 1
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Fibronectins
  • NF-kappa B
  • FNDC5 protein, rat
  • Ppargc1a protein, rat