Protective Effect of Swimming and Genistein on the Expression of Microrna 132, Insulin Growth Factor 1, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Genes, As Well As Spatial Memory, in the Hippocampus of Diabetic Ovariectomized Rats

Background and objective: the present study aimed to assess the effects of the combined use of exercise and genistein on the hippocampal expression of micro rna-132, igf-1, and bdnf in type 2 diabetic ovariectomized rats. materials and methods: wistar female rats in the weight range of 180-220 gr (n=10) were assigned to six groups: sham, ovariectomy, ovariectomized diabetic, ovariectomized diabetic treated with genistein for eight weeks, diabetic ovariectomized treated with swimming for eight weeks, and a group that was treated with both genistein and swimming for eight weeks. the effect of those treatments was assessed by the determination of microrna-132, insulin growth factor 1 (igf-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) expression levels within the hippocampus. these genes were evaluated by real-time-polymerase chain reaction (rt-pcr) and spatial memory was assessed by the morris water maze. results: ovariectomy demonstrated a decrease in the expression of microrna-132, igf-1, and bdnf in the hippocampus, as well as spatial memory, in diabetic ovariectomized rats, which showed a greater reduction in the expression of those genes in rats (p<0.05). nevertheless, genistein administration, swimming training, and a combination of them significantly up-regulated microrna-132, bdnf, and igf-1 expression, as well as spatial memory (p<0.05). conclusions: as evidenced by the obtained results, the combined use of genistein and swimming could prevent estrogen deficiency effects in the hippocampus of ovariectomized diabetic rats.