Neuroprotection afforded by an enriched Mediterranean-like diet is modified by exercise in a rat model of cerebral ischemia

AbstractIschemic stroke is an important cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Given that current treatments do not allow a remarkable better outcome in patients after stroke, it is mandatory to seek new approaches preventing stroke and/or complementing the current treatments or ameliorating the ischemic insult. Multiple preclinical and clinical studies highlighted the potential beneficial roles of exercise and a Mediterranean diet following stroke. Here, we examined whether a Mediterranean-like diet supplemented with hydroxytyrosol with/without physical exercise enhances the good outcome of rats submitted to a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). We also assessed a potential synergistic effect with physical exercise. We found that an enriched Mediterranean-like diet decreased infarct/edema volumes, delayed acute immune response (modulates cytokines/chemokines levels) and increased acute functional recovery after ischemic injury. Strikingly, although physical exercise did improve cellular and some functional outcomes compared to control animals, it did not synergize with the Mediterranean-like diet but even impaired the positive short-term outcomes. Overall, these data provide the first preclinical evidence that an enriched Mediterranean diet mediates neuroprotection probably by the modulation of cytokines/chemokines levels downwards that eventually has an important role during the acute phase following ischemic damage.