Treadmill exercise enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated maternal rats during pregnancy

Treadmill exercise enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated maternal rats during pregnancy

Maternal alcohol-intoxication during pregnancy has detrimental effects on the development of the fetus. The level of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) represents the neuronal activity of the brain, and this chemical plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the brain. Physical exercise is known to enhance both neuronal plasticity and activity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treadmill running on the synthesis 5-HT and on the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis, in the dorsal raphe of the rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated rats during pregnancy (p<0.05). Our results clearly show that maternal alcohol-intoxication suppressed the synthesis of 5-HT and the expression of TPH in the dorsal raphe of rat pups, and that treadmill exercise enhanced the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated rats (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between mild-intensity exercise and moderate-intensity exercise. Based on these present results, treadmill running may be a useful strategy to enhance the neuronal activity of the children born from mothers who have abused alcohol during pregnancy.

Maternal alcohol-intoxication during pregnancy has detrimental effects on the development of the fetus. The level of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) represents the neuronal activity of the brain, and this chemical plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the brain. Physical exercise is known to enhance both neuronal plasticity and activity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treadmill running on the synthesis 5-HT and on the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis, in the dorsal raphe of the rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated rats during pregnancy (p<0.05). Our results clearly show that maternal alcohol-intoxication suppressed the synthesis of 5-HT and the expression of TPH in the dorsal raphe of rat pups, and that treadmill exercise enhanced the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated rats (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between mild-intensity exercise and moderate-intensity exercise. Based on these present results, treadmill running may be a useful strategy to enhance the neuronal activity of the children born from mothers who have abused alcohol during pregnancy.