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Changes in GDNF protein levels in the spinal cord with voluntary running
Author(s) -
Czarnopys Monica J.,
Spitsbergen John M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.955.29
Subject(s) - glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , spinal cord , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , medicine , central nervous system , endocrinology , neuroscience , neurotrophic factors , anatomy , biology , disease , receptor
GDNF strengthens and sustains synaptic connections at the neuromuscular junction. We have previously shown that low‐intensity exercise causes an increase in GDNF protein expression in skeletal muscles of rats. The purpose of the current study was to examine changes in GDNF protein content in the spinal cord from rats that have undergone voluntary exercise. Male Sprague Dawley rats aged 4 weeks were housed with continuous access to voluntary running wheels for 4 weeks. GDNF protein content of the spinal cord was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to localize GDNF in nerve cells in the spinal cord. The results show that GDNF protein can be detected in nerve cell bodies in the spinal cord; however, following exercise there was only a slight increase (not significant) in GDNF protein content in the spinal cord from exercised animals (842 pg/mg ± 146 pg/mg) compared to that in sedentary control animals (628 pg/mg ± 167 pg/mg). If GDNF protein expression is elevated with exercise, then this could help explain beneficial effects of exercise for motor nervous system in aging individuals or individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This work was supported by NIH grant 1 R15 AG022908‐01A2, NSF grant DBI 0552517, Western Michigan University, and MSU‐KCMS.