The effects of weight- and non–weight-bearing exercise on corticospinal axon sprouting, regeneration-related proteins and functional recovery after spinal cord contusion

This study investigates how different types of exercise affect recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Specifically, it compares weight-bearing exercise (treadmill) to non-weight-bearing exercise (swimming). The study looks at improvements in movement, nerve regeneration, and the levels of certain proteins related to nerve health. Rats with SCI were divided into groups that either did treadmill exercise, swimming exercise, or remained sedentary. The researchers then measured their motor function using the BBB scale, examined nerve fiber growth in the spinal cord, and analyzed the expression of proteins associated with nerve regeneration. The results showed that swimming exercise led to better motor function recovery and nerve regeneration compared to the sedentary group. Swimming also resulted in higher levels of certain proteins that promote nerve regeneration compared to the treadmill exercise group, suggesting that non-weight-bearing exercise may be a beneficial rehabilitation method for SCI.

• 1
  Motor function, as measured by the BBB score, improved significantly more in the swimming group compared to the sedentary group at 3 and 6 weeks after SCI.
• 2
  The swimming group exhibited higher levels of axonal outgrowth in the corticospinal tract compared to the treadmill group, indicating better nerve regeneration.
• 3
  The swimming group showed significantly upregulated expression of regeneration-related proteins, suggesting a positive impact on nerve repair mechanisms.