Motor behavior improvement in ischemic gerbils by cholinergic receptor activation and treadmill training

Introduction: treadmill exercise training is one of the most investigated non-pharmacological treatment options for experimental brain ischemia. However, the cholinergic system is essential for improving motor behavior responses. Objective: to analyze the effects of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) on the motor behavior of ischemic gerbils subjected to forced treadmill training. Methods: in this experimental study, 72 gerbils, weighing 65–80 g, were divided into eight groups: Sal, Ni1, Ni2, Ni4, I, INi1, INi2, and INi4. Behavioral assessment was initiated 24 hours after the last motor stimulation on the treadmill. Rotarod test (RR) was employed to analyze animal behavior. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Newman-Keuls post hoc test evidenced differences detected between groups. Results: data regarding the RR test revealed decreased time spent on the RR apparatus for the Ni1, Ni4, and I group compared to the Sal and Ni2 groups. However, the INi1 and INi2 groups showed increased time spent compared with the ischemia and INi4 groups (F7,64=4,63; p<0,05). Conclusions: the present study indicates that treadmill training with a concomitant 1 and 2 mg/kg of nAChR agonist effectively improves the behavior of ischemic gerbils.