The effects of treadmill exercise on oxidative stress in Mongolian gerbils with penicillin-induced epilepsy

Aim: To evaluate the role of treadmill exercise on the oxidative stress in Mongolian gerbils with penicillin-induced epilepsy. Methods:This experimental study included 18 male Mongolian gerbils which were divided into three groups; sham-control group, penicillin group (500 units) and exercise + penicillin (500 units)group. Each animal group was composed of six Mongolian gerbils. The epileptiform activity was verified by electrocorticographic recordings. Results: The latency of the penicillin+exercise group was longer than the penicillin group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Following the penicillin administration, spike wave frequencies of epileptiform activity in the 10, 30, and 35 minutes were significantly lower in the penicillin+exercise group, compared with the penicillin group. There were generally significant decreases in the spike wave amplitude medians in the penicillin+exercise groups compared with the penicillin group in all time periods between 0 and 5 minutes. The serum superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels increased in the penicillin+exercise group compared with those in the penicillin group. Conclusion: The results of present study indicate that regular exercise may contribute to the amelioration of epileptic activity by increasing the antioxidant effect.