Introduction: Methamphetamine not only causes addiction but also induces abnormal alterations in serotonin and its transporter (SERT). These harmful effects remain even after relatively long periods of withdrawal. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise intervention combined with NBS wheat supplementation on serotonin and SERT in male rats exposed to methamphetamine.
Methods: 48 male Wistar rats, aged 8 weeks, with an average weight of 200±10 grams, were randomly divided into six groups: control (CO), methamphetamine (MA), withdrawal (W), withdrawal and aerobic exercise (W/TR), withdrawal and supplementation (W/SUP), and withdrawal combined with aerobic exercise and supplementation (W/TR+SUP). The rats were initially addicted to methamphetamine through intraperitoneal injections over six weeks, with the dosage increasing from 20 mg/kg body weight in the first week to 30 mg/kg in the final week. CO continued their normal routine for six weeks, while the withdrawal and aerobic exercise group performed aerobic exercises at 60% of maximal running speed (MRS) for the first three weeks and at 70% MRS for the next three weeks. The withdrawal and supplementation group received NBS wheat supplementation via gavage for six weeks, and the withdrawal combined with aerobic exercise and supplementation group followed both protocols. At the end of the intervention, the rats were sacrificed, and their brains were completely removed. Changes in SERT expression were measured using RT-PCR, and serotonin level were assessed through Western blotting.
Results: SERT in the W and W/TR+SUP group significantly decreased compared to the CO and MA groups (P=0.001) (P=0.001). Serotonin in the W and W/TR+SUP group significantly increased compared to all groups (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study suggest that aerobic exercise combined with NBS supplementation can enhance mono-amine levels more effectively than either intervention alone, aiding in the recovery and normalization of monoamine transporter levels.
Keywords: Methamphetamine, Aerobic exercise, Wheat supplement, 5-HT, SERT