Regular Exercise Training with Lutein/zeaxanthin Isomers Regulates Brain Transcription Factors and Neurotrophic and Synaptic Proteins in Rats (P06-020-19)

OBJECTIVES: Lutein/zeaxanthin isomers (L/Zi), the major carotenoids, have demonstrated potent antioxidant and antiinflammation. This study was conducted to clarify the effects of L/Zi on brain transcription and brain-derived neurotrophic factors and synaptic proteins combined with exercise training in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats (age: 8 wks) were allocated into four groups: (i) Control: no treatments (ii) L/Zi: Rats treated with L/Zi (100 mg L/Zi/kg BW); (iii) Exercise: Rats with regular exercise only, (iv) Exercise + L/Zi: Rats with combined treatment of L/Zi (100 mg L/Zi/kg BW) and regular exercise. The exercise practice was carried out on a motor-driven rodent treadmill at 25 m/min, 45 min/day, 5 d/week for 8 wks. RESULTS: Rats with combined treatment of L/Zi (100 mg L/Zi/kg BW) and regular exercise. The exercise practice was carried out on a motor-driven rodent treadmill at 25 m/min, 45 min/day, 5 d/week for 8 wks. Brain nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) levels increased and nuclear factor (NF-κB) reduced in the combined group. In addition, L/Zi supplementation increased cerebral cortex brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synapsin I, synaptophysin (SYP) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) levels both control and exercised rats (P < 0.001 for all). The highest cerebral cortex BDNF, synapsin I, SYP and GAP-43 levels were detected in the combined group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that regular exercise training with L/Zi may improve brain function by regulating transcription and brain-derived neurotrophic factors and synaptic proteins in rats. FUNDING SOURCES: This study was supported by the Omniactive Health Technologies (NJ, USA) and partially supported by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (Ankara, Turkey).