مجله علوم پزشکی فیض (پیوسته) (Aug 2024)
The effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and garlic supplementation on IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression in the brain tissue of rats with Parkinson’s disease
Abstract
Background and Aim: Parkinson's disease is associated with a dysfunction in the inflammatory system. This study aims to evaluate the effects of eight weeks of aerobic training combined with garlic supplementation on the expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) genes in the brain tissue of reserpine-induced parkinsonian rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 reserpine-induced parkinsonian rats (administered an intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg/kg reserpine) were divided into four groups: 1) reserpine, 2) aerobic training (AT) for eight weeks, 3) garlic supplementation (G), and 4) AT + G. Additionally, eight healthy rats were included in a healthy control group. The aerobic training regimen consisted of five sessions per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting between 15 and 48 minutes at a speed of 10 to 24 m/min. Rats received 500 mg/kg/day of aqueous garlic extract via gavage. The gene expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the brain tissue were measured using the RT-PCR method. Motor balance was assessed using a rotarod device. Results: IFN-γ gene expression was significantly lower in the G, AT, and AT + G groups compared to the reserpine group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, IL-4 levels and motor balance scores were significantly higher in these groups than in the reserpine group (P < 0.001). Notably, the combined effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise (AT) with garlic supplementation (G) on reducing IFN-γ gene expression levels and enhancing motor balance was significantly more favorable than that of garlic supplementation alone (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Both aerobic exercise and garlic supplementation seem to exert beneficial effects on the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory systems in the brain tissue, as well as on motor balance in neurological diseases. These findings suggest that integrating aerobic training with garlic supplementation may enhance therapeutic approaches for managing Parkinson's disease.
