Voluntary exercise enhances survival and migration of neural progenitor cells after intracerebral haemorrhage in mice.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

This study explored the long-term effects of exercise on the proliferation, survival and migration of endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the brain after intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

RESEARCH DESIGN

ICH was induced by an injection of collagenase into the striatum. Animals in the voluntary running exercise group ran freely on a running wheel for 1, 3 and 6 weeks following the induction of ICH.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

Immunohistochemical labelling was performed to incorporate specific cell markers, such as Ki67 (proliferating cells), 5-bromodeoxyuridien (BrdU; surviving newborn cells) and doublecortin (DCX; neuroblasts or migrating cells).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Voluntary exercise for 3 and 6 weeks sustained more Ki67- or BrdU-immunostained cells in the SVZ after ICH than in the brains of sedentary mice. DCX-immunostained cells were more prominent in the striatum of the group that had exercised for 6 weeks compared to the time-matched sedentary group. Moreover, it was observed that proliferating green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive cells that were infected with retrovirus were located more distally from the injection site in the exercise group than in the sedentary group.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that long-term exercise may enhance the proliferation and survival of NPCs and their migration toward injured areas, suggesting that exercise may contribute to neuronal injury recovery in cell-based therapies after ICH.