Swimming exercise and diphenyl diselenide-supplemented diet modulate cerebral cortical and striatal GABA uptake in aged rats

Abstract

Aging is characterized by several neurochemical modifications involving structural proteins and neurotransmitters. Exercise has been recognized as an enhancer of overall health; whereas, diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)₂ has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in rodents. A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions has been proposed to prevent the aging effects. This study aimed to determine the swimming exercise and (PhSe)₂ dietary supplementation synergic effects on the [³H] γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake in aged rats. Male Wistar rats (24 months) received 1 ppm of (PhSe)₂ supplemented in the standard chow for 4 weeks. Rats were subjected to swimming training (20 min per day for 4 weeks). After 4 weeks, the [³H]GABA uptake was determined in samples of cerebral cortex and striatum of rats. The results of the present study demonstrate that the association of (PhSe)₂-supplemented diet and swimming exercise was effective against the decrease of cerebral cortical and striatal [³H]GABA uptake in aged rats. The association of (PhSe)₂ dietary supplementation with swimming exercise modulated the GABA uptake in cerebral structures of aged rats.

Key words
aged; γ-aminobutyric acid; swimming exercise; organoselenium; supplementation