Abstract

The transcriptional factor c-Fos has been used as a marker of neuronal activity. Brain injury is known to induce c-Fos expression in the neurons. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most devastating types of stroke. In the present study, we investigated the impact of starting time of treadmill exercise on ICH-induced c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rats. ICH was induced by injection of collagenase into the striatum using a stereotaxic instrument. The rats in the pre-exercise group were scheduled to run on a treadmill before ICH induction for 2 weeks. The rats in the post-exercise group were scheduled to run on a treadmill after ICH induction for 2 weeks. The rats in the pre- and post-exercise group were scheduled to run on a treadmill exercise starting 2 weeks before ICH induction until 2 weeks after ICH induction. The present results showed that c-Fos expression in the several hippocampal regions were significantly increased following ICH in rats. Treadmill exercise showed the suppressive effect on the ICH-induced c-Fos expression in the hippocampal regions. The suppression on c-Fos expression by treadmill exercise was highest in the rats of the pre- and post-exercise group. The present results suggest that treadmill exercise starting before the ICH insult and continuing after ICH insult has a potent protective effect on ICH-induced brain damage, possibly by modulating c-Fos expression in the hippocampal regions. (Korean J Str Res 2009;17:155∼161)

• Keywords: Intracerebral hemorrhage, Treadmill exercise, c-Fos, Hippocampus, Rats;