Voluntary wheel running mitigates hyperglycemia-induced depressive-like behavior and increases hippocampal BDNF levels in male mice.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for depression. Emerging data suggests this effect is partly mediated by hyperglycemia increasing neuroinflammation and decreasing neurotrophy. While exercise reduces depressive symptoms in other models of depression, limited research has investigated the efficacy of exercise-related interventions in hyperglycemia-associated depression. Thus, we examined whether chronic exercise could rescue hyperglycemia-related affective dysfunction and modulate neuroinflammatory and neurotrophic levels in male C57BL/6J mice. Hyperglycemia was induced via administration of 50 mg/kg/day streptozotocin (STZ) over 5 consecutive days. Four weeks post-STZ, mice in the exercise group had voluntary running wheel access in their home cage for 6 weeks. As anticipated, STZ induced depressive-like behavior. Exercise attenuated behavioral deficits in the forced swim and splash test. Tissue analyses found that exercise affected hippocampal neurotrophic markers, while STZ influenced cerebellar inflammatory markers. This study provides novel evidence that hyperglycemia and exercise exert brain-region-specific modulatory effects on behavioral alterations.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Kusumo, Laura E., 2001-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Vichaya, Elisabeth G.

• Diabetes.
• Mice.
• Exercise.
• Depression.
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
• Voluntary wheel running.
• Streptozotocin.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13754

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13754