The effects of treadmill exercise on brain angiogenesis in ovariectomized rats

Menopause is associated with vascular dysfunction attributed to reduced estrogen levels. Exercise has been proposed to promote angiogenesis and vascular dysfunction. However, studies of brain angiogenesis during menopause are limited. We analyzed the effects of exercise on angiogenesis‐related factors in menopausal rat model. Twenty‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley rats (N = 18) were randomly divided into a normal control group (N, n = 6), an ovariectomized control group (OVX, n = 6), and an ovariectomy + exercise group (OVX‐EX, n = 6). Treadmill exercises were conducted in the OVX‐EX group for 8 weeks (15–60 m/min, 1 h/day, and 5 days/week). The current study showed that the expression of angiogenesis‐related factors (platelet‐derived growth factor subunit A, B, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin 1, and angiopoietin 2) significantly decreased in the cortex of the OVX group. However, these factors were significantly restored in the cortex of the OVX‐EX group after 8 weeks of treadmill exercise. In summary, estrogen deficiency causes vascular dysfunction by inhibiting the expression of angiogenesis‐related factors. However, exercise can restore angiogenesis‐related factors in OVX rats. Exercise eventually prevents vascular dysfunction in the brain and may help prevent cognitive dysfunction in menopausal women.