Effect of swimming on oligodendrocytic cells and myelin tissue in corpus callosum of rat model of MS induced by Cuprizone

Background: Multiple Sclerosis is a myelin destroyer disease, which physical activity can be effective in improving it. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of swimming on oligodendrocytic cells and myelin tissue in rat brain of the Cuprizone model of MS disease is investigated.

Methods: In this study, 21 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into Control groups, Cuprizone and Swim + Cuprizone. For the induction of MS, Cuprizone 0.6% were gavaged for one month. The group of Swim + Cuprizone swam at the same time with gavage. The training program included 4 weeks of swimming for 5 sessions per week and 30 minutes. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to determine the percentage of immature and mature oligodendrocytes and Luxol fast blue solution for evaluation of myelin density. Image j software and One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the findings.

Results: The mean percentage of immature and mature oligodendrocytes and myelin density in the Swim+Cuprizone group was significantly higher than that of the Cuprizone group (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: Swimming decreases destruction of the oligodendrocytes and myelin cells due to Cuprizone.