Efeitos do exercício físico e da suplementação com chá-verde sobre características bioquímicas e comportamentais associadas ao envelhecimento

Abstract

Aging is associated with cognitive and mnemonic deficits frequently reported as related to the oxidative stress (OS). There is continuous interest to minimize effects of OS in order to avoid cognitive deficits. Physical exercise and catechines from green tea are potential antioxidants helping to protect cognitive and memory functions. While there are evidences supporting the neuroprotective role of physical exercise, the effects of green tea supplementation during aging as strategy to combat OS still are quiet incipient. In this study the effects of physical exercise and green tea supplementation on biochemical and behavioral characteristics associated with aging were addressed. Wistar rats 9 months aged were organized in groups as follow: young control group; aged control group; exercise aged group; green tea supplementation aged group; exercise and green tea supplementation aged group. Interventions lasted 3 months composed by aerobic exercise and green tea, combined or not. Green tea was not effective in avoid cognitive deficits associated with aging, but significantly decreases ROS activity with significant improve in antioxidants defenses. Physical exercise improved all parameter in both biochemical and behavioral testing. The lack of effects of green tea on cognition may rely on the duration of the intervention, while decrease in the ROS suggests its effect role even during a short supplementation period.