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Swimming Improves Memory and Antioxidant Defense in an Animal Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

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Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease associated with progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. In humans, DMD has an early onset, causes developmental delays, and is a devastating disease that drastically diminishes the quality of life of young individuals affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a swimming protocol on memory and oxidative stress in an animal model of DMD. Male mdx and wild-type mice aged ≥ 28 days were used in this study. The animals were trained for a stepped swimming protocol for four consecutive weeks. The swimming protocol significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in the gastrocnemius, hippocampus, and striatum in the exercised animals. It also prevented lipid peroxidation in the diaphragm. Moreover, it increased the free thiol levels in the gastrocnemius, the diaphragm, and all central nervous system structures. The results showed that the protocol that applied swimming as a low-intensity aerobic exercise for 4 weeks prevented aversive memory and habituation in mdx mice.

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Data will be made available upon request.

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Funding

This research was supported by grants from Unisul (CMC) and the UNIEDU/FUMDES (AA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Neurodevelopment of Childhood and Adolescence, Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Cidade Universitária Pedra Branca, 88137-272, Palhoça, SC, Brazil

    Priscila Mantovani Nocetti, Adriano Alberti, Viviane Freiberger, Letícia Ventura, Leoberto Ricardo Grigollo, Daniel Fernandes Martins & Clarissa M. Comim

  2. CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Carrer Lluís Vives, 1, 46115, Valencia, Alfara del Patriarca, Spain

    Cristina Salar Andreau

  3. Department of Physical Education, University of West Santa Catarina, Área das Ciências Biológicas E da Saúde, Rua José Firmo Bernardi, 1591, Bairro Flor da Serra, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil

    Rudy José Nodari Júnior

Authors
  1. Priscila Mantovani Nocetti
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  2. Adriano Alberti
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  3. Viviane Freiberger
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  4. Letícia Ventura
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  5. Leoberto Ricardo Grigollo
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  6. Cristina Salar Andreau
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  7. Rudy José Nodari Júnior
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  8. Daniel Fernandes Martins
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  9. Clarissa M. Comim
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Contributions

Priscila Mantovani Nocetti, Viviane Freiberger, and Letícia Ventura planned the experiments and wrote the paper. Clarissa Martinelli Comim managed the project and performed most of the experiments and analysis and provided input on statistical analysis and interpretation. Adriano Alberti provided substantial input for the manuscript and wrote the paper. Daniel Fernandes Martins, Leoberto Ricardo Grigollo, Cristina Salar Andreau, and Rudy José Nodari Junior provided technical guidance and supervision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adriano Alberti.

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Nocetti, P.M., Alberti, A., Freiberger, V. et al. Swimming Improves Memory and Antioxidant Defense in an Animal Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mol Neurobiol 58, 5067–5077 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02482-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02482-y

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