| First Author | Hanif AM | Year | 2015 |
| Journal | Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci | Volume | 56 |
| Issue | 11 | Pages | 6839-46 |
| PubMed ID | 26567796 | Mgi Jnum | J:231051 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5766706 | Doi | 10.1167/iovs.15-16792 |
| Citation | Hanif AM, et al. (2015) Neuroprotective Effects of Voluntary Exercise in an Inherited Retinal Degeneration Mouse Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 56(11):6839-46 |
| abstractText | PURPOSE: Our previous investigations showed that involuntary treadmill exercise is neuroprotective in a light-induced retinal degeneration mouse model, and it may act through activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptors. This study investigated whether voluntary running wheel exercise can be neuroprotective in an inheritable model of the retinal degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP), rd10 mice. METHODS: Breeding pairs of rd10 and C57BL/6J mice were given free-spinning (active) or locked (inactive) running wheels. Pups were weaned into separate cages with their parents' respective wheel types, and visual function was tested with ERG and a virtual optokinetic system at 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age. Offspring were killed at 6 weeks of age and retinal cross-sections were prepared for photoreceptor nuclei counting. Additionally, separate cohorts of active and inactive rd10 pups were injected daily for 14 days after eye opening with a selective TrkB receptor antagonist (ANA-12) or vehicle solution and assessed as described above. RESULTS: Mice in the rd10 active group exhibited significant preservation of visual acuity, cone nuclei, and total photoreceptor nuclei number. Injection with ANA-12 precluded the preservation of visual acuity and photoreceptor nuclei number in rd10 mice. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary running partially protected against the retinal degeneration and vision loss that otherwise occurs in the rd10 mouse model of RP. This protection was prevented by injection of ANA-12, suggesting that TrkB activation mediates exercise's preservation of the retina. Exercise may serve as an effective, clinically translational intervention against retinal degeneration. |
