Physical activity is known for promoting health and well-being. Exercise is also responsible for increasing the production of Oxygen Reactive Species (ORS) by increasing mitochondrial oxygen consumption causing tissue oxidative stress. The imbalance between ORS production and tissue antioxidant defenses can cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Brain oxidative damage is a common etiopathology mechanism of apoptosis and neurodegeneration. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor plays an important role in this context. In this review, we showed the results of different models and configurations of physical exercise in oxidative and neurotrophic metabolism of the Central Nervous System (CNS). We also reviewed studies that utilized antioxidant supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative damage to CNS. The commonest physical exercise models were running wheels, swimming and treadmill with very different configurations of physical training such as duration and intensity. The results of physical training on brain tissues are very controversial, but generally show improvement in synaptic plasticity and cognition function with low and moderate intensity exercises.
Physical activity; Oxidative stress; Antioxidants; Neurotrophins; Brain
