Effect of exercise on spatial learning and memory in male diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of regular exercise at 2, 4, 6 weeks intervals on spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze and in passive avoidance test in male diabetic rats. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, two groups of control rats, one sedentary control and one swimming exercise-trained control and two groups of diabetic rats. One sedentary diabetic, and the other swimming exercise-trained group. The diabetic sedentary group exhibited a significant increase in latency to reach platform as compared to control (sedentary). Physical activity produced a significant enhancement in spatial learning with a significant decrease in latency to reach platform. At the end of 2, 4, 6 weeks of regular exercise, the mean initial latency (IL) showed a significant increase in diabetic (sedentary) group compared to control (sedentary), while exercised diabetic group showed a significant increase in IL compared to control exercised and significant decrease as compared to diabetic (sedentary). In addition, step-through latency (STL) was significantly reduced in diabetic exercised group compared to control exercised, but at the end of 6 th week showed enhancement in time as compared to control exercised and diabetic (sedentary) groups. Tissue malondialdehyde of kidney, liver and heart showed significant increase in diabetic (sedentary) and declined in diabetic exercised groups. The present results indicate that regular exercise enhanced learning and memory in diabetic rats and this may be mediated through the activation of the antioxidant system.