Identification of metabolomic changes before and after exercise regimen in stress induced rats

Abstract

Aim: To identify the metabolomic changes before and after exercise regimen in depression induced animal models. Methodology : Severity of depression was measured by forced swim test (FST) and sucrose consumption test (SCT) and their statistical significance was obtained by ANOVA followed by post hoc test. Swimming protocol was followed for4 weeks of exercise treatment. Serum obtained from depressed and exercise treated rats were used for the metabolite analysis by GCMS. Subsequent statistical analysis (ANOVA followed by post hoc test) revealed significant metabolic changes. Results : About 20 metabolites were found to be differentially expressed in control. depressed and exercise treated groups. Serum levels of glycine and serine were significantly increased in depressed groups, whereas the levels of leucine, proline, valine (BCAs), glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose.xylitol myo-inositol, lactic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid were significantly decreased when compared to control group (Group I). After 4 weeks of swimming exercise regimen procedure, lower levels of glycine, serine and higher levels of sugars, myo-inositol, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and BCAs were found in the exercised groups (Group III) when compared to the depressed groups (Group 11). Interpretation : These observations suggested that the depressed state may be associated with the changes in the level of few metabolites involved in amino acid, fatty acid, glucose and energy metabolisms, which may getrevertedafterchronicexercise.