Analysis of motor performance and histomorphometry of skeletal muscles of rats exercised after cerebral ischemia

Introduction Cerebral ischemia causes muscle atrophy and motor incoordination in animals, impairing motor performance. Objective Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze the motor performance and histomorphometry of the biceps brachii, soleus, and anterior tibialis muscles of rats submitted to a treadmill training program after induction of cerebral ischemia by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). Materials and Methods To do so, twenty-four 30-day-old Wistar rats were utilized. The exercises were performed for 6 weeks on a leveled treadmill, for 30 min/day, 5 days a week, at a controlled speed of 8 m/min, and the MCAO surgery took place for 60 min. The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: SC (n = 6): control animals that underwent false surgery (operation without the induction of cerebral ischemia) and did not exercise (sedentary); CEA (n = 6): control animals exercised on the treadmill after the false surgery; SI (n = 6): sedentary ischemic animals; IEA (n = 6): animals exercised on the treadmill after the induction of cerebral ischemia. Results The type-II fibers atrophy in muscle soleo was observed in groups CEA (5125.63 +/- 158.83) and SI (4982.38 +/- 248.16) when compared to the SC (5927.98 +/- 106.17) and IEA (6526.73 +/- 195.08) groups. Conclusion It is concluded that the low intensity physical exercise performed on the treadmill for six weeks after the induction of cerebral ischemia by OMCA, promoted a decrease in the atrophy of muscles important of the ischemic animals, benefiting their motor performance.