The effects of environmental enrichment on biochemical and metric parameters of aged rats

Authors

  • Thiago Aparecido Vieira Centro Universitário Unisalesiano de Lins
  • Rodrigo Leal de Paiva Carvalho Universidade do Sagrado Coração
  • Sarah Cristina Ferreira Centro Universitário Unisalesiano de Lins
  • Ana Paula de Oliveira Centro Universitário Unisalesiano de Lins
  • Olayr Modesto Junior Centro Universitário Unisalesiano de Lins
  • Welton Ferreira de Assis Universidade Estadual Paulista
  • José Alexandre Curiacos de Almeida Leme Universidade Estadual Paulista

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v31n3a2015-26803

Keywords:

Enriched Environment, Physical Activity, Obesity, Blood Glucose, Triglyceridemia

Abstract

The enriched environment (EE) is a promoter of physical activity, by its characteristics such as ample room for movement and exploration, presence of wheels, tunnels and toys. The maintenance of animals in enriched environment can bring a range of benefits, but the majority of the researches investigate cognitive parameters and changes related to the nervous system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the maintenance of aged rats in enriched cages on biochemical and metric parameters. Wistar rats were randomly distributed (n=6) into two groups during 6 weeks: control (C) in a conventional cage and enriched environment (EE). The body mass were recorded weekly and the body length at the end of the study. After euthanasia, blood was collected for analysis of glucose, triglycerides and the brain was collected for analysis of mass. The EE group had higher brain mass and lower gain of body weight compared to control group. The control group animals had normal values of blood glucose and triglyceride levels, and the maintenance in an EE did not promote changes in these parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that the EE group increases brain mass and reduces the gain of body weight without changing the blood glucose and triglycerides in aged animals. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2015-05-06

How to Cite

VIEIRA, T.A., CARVALHO, R.L. de P., FERREIRA, S.C., DE OLIVEIRA, A.P., MODESTO JUNIOR, O., DE ASSIS, W.F. and LEME, J.A.C. de A., 2015. The effects of environmental enrichment on biochemical and metric parameters of aged rats . Bioscience Journal [online], vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 982–987. [Accessed8 December 2024]. DOI 10.14393/BJ-v31n3a2015-26803. Available from: https://seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal/article/view/26803.

Issue

Section

Health Sciences