Effects of continuous and interval aerobic exercise training on vascular and cognitive function of fructose-fed rats.

Abstract

The exponential increase in the consumption of foods rich in sugar and fat appears to be associated with increased prevalence of obesity. It is known that obesity triggers health problems with consequences in physical, economic and social aspects. In addition to the well known disorders, studies have shown that obesity can negatively influence cognitive function. Recently, the beneficial effects of continuous aerobic exercise on cognitive function, specifically on memory, have been demonstrated. However, there are no studies that investigated the effects of interval aerobic exercise on cognitive function, either, studies comparing the effects induced by different training methods, in this case, continuous and interval methods. In addition, there are few studies that have investigated the role of exercise to prevent diet-induced cognitive impairment. Then, the aim of this study is to evaluate the preventive or therapeutic efficacy of two different methods of physical training (continuous and interval), three times a week, on short spacial memory and learning in animals fed fructose solution. In addition, the comparison of the responses observed in young and adult animals will be done. Possible local mechanisms (neurogenesis, hippocampal apoptosis, angiogenesis and neuroinflammation) and systemic (vascular reactivity and insulin sensitivity) mechanisms which could be involved in this response will be investigated. (AU)