NAc Ascorbic Acid Infusion Modulates Treadmill Running Ability of Rats

Nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex have a close relationship in the brain. Previous study has shown that infusing the ascorbic acid into the mPFC can enhance the exercise ability of rats. But whether the regulation of ascorbic acid in NAc can control exercise ability is not clear. The purpose of this research is to explore the effect of ascorbic acid infusion in NAc on treadmill running ability of rats. Eighteen adult male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the following three groups, ascorbic acid (AA+), artificial cerebrospinal fluid (C) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AA-) groups. All rats accepted a stereotactic brain surgery to implant two micro cannulaes in the NAc. After the rest for a week, ascorbic acid, artificial cerebrospinal fluid or ascorbic acid oxidase was infused into nucleus accumbens in the three groups of rats, respectively. All rats were placed on treadmill to test their running ability. The results showed that compared with C group and AA- group, AA+ group showed longer time and distance of running in treadmill. So we concluded that ascorbic acid infusion in NAc can improve the treadmill running ability of rats.