Body weight
Regarding the weight of the animals, before and after the treatment weights were compared and it was indicated that the weight did not change significantly in post compared to pretreatment condition in CON (230.33 ± 25.28 vs. 233.67 ± 24.44 gr, p = 0.341) and CS + R (284.36 ± 2.32 vs. 279.83 ± 2.31 gr, p = 0.342) groups. While, in the CS + ST group (229.50 ± 17.76 vs. 232.03 ± 26.67, p = 0.003) and in CS group (229.50 ± 17.76 vs. 215.95 ± 12.42, p = 0.003) and ST (256.58 ± 13.54 vs. 224.17 ± 7.46 gr, p = 0.001) the weight reduced significantly in post compared to pre training.
Gelial fibrillary acidic protein of CA1
GFAP of CA1 was significantly different between the five group conditions: (F (4, 25) = 11.60, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (9.43 ± 3.18) group, the GFAP of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS (15.83 ± 1.80; p = 0.002) group, and was significantly shorter in the ST (4.38 ± 0.52; p < 0.01) groups. Compared to the CS + ST (7.41 ± 4.02) condition, the GFAP of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS (15.83 ± 1.80; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (11.89 ± 4.38; p = 0.02) groups. Compared to the CS condition, the GFAP of CA1 was significantly shorter in the ST (4.38 ± 0.52; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (11.89 ± 4.38; p = 0.03) groups. Compared to the ST condition, the GFAP of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS + Recovery (11.89 ± 4.38; p < 0.001) group (Fig. 3).
To summarize, as regards the GFAP of CA1 as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, GFAP of CA1 was lowest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Gelial fibrillary acidic protein of DG
GFAP of DG was significantly different between the five group conditions: (F (4, 25) = 14.98, p < 0. 001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (9.90 ± 3.38) group, the GFAP of DG was significantly longer in the CS (21.42 ± 6.43; p < 0. 001) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (7.19 ± 3.83) group, the GFAP of DG was significantly longer in the CS (21.42 ± 6.43; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (13.34 ± 2.25; p = 0.01) groups. Compared to the CS condition, the GFAP of DG was significantly shorter in the ST (6.29 ± 1.54; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (13.34 ± 2.25; p < 0.001) groups.Compared to the ST condition, the GFAP of DG was significantly longer in the CS + Recovery (13.34 ± 2.25; p = 0.004) group (Fig. 3).
In summary, regarding the GFAP of DG as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, GFAP of DG was lowest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Dark cells of CA1
Dark cells of CA1 was significantly different between the five groups (F (4, 25) = 68.92, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (20.55 ± 4.33) group, the dark cells of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS (51.55 ± 6.62; p < 0.001), CS + Recovery (30.07 ± 6.69; p < 0.001) groups, and was significantly shorter in the ST (9.51 ± 0.82; p < 0.0001) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (20.24 ± 2.37) group, the dark cells of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS (51.55 ± 6.62; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (34.07 ± 6.69; p = 0.02) groups, and was significantly shorter in the ST (9.51 ± 0.82; p < 0.001) group. Compared to the CS group, the dark cells of CA1 was significantly shorter in the ST (9.51 ± 0.82; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (34.07 ± 6.69; p = 0.03) groups. Compared to the ST group, the dark cells of CA1 was significantly longer in the CS + Recovery (34.07 ± 6.69; p < 0.001) group (Fig. 4).
To summarize, considering the Dark cells of CA1 as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, dark cells of CA1 was lowest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Dark cells of DG
Dark cells of DG were significantly different between the five group conditions: (F (4, 25) = 128.13, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (19.15 ± 4.34) group, the dark cells of DG were significantly longer in the CS (47.71 ± 4.14; p < 0.001), CS + Recovery (27.4 ± 1.56; p < 0.0001) groups and was significantly shorter in the ST (9.21 ± 2.06; p < 0.001) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (20.64 ± 2.64) condition, the dark cells of DG were significantly longer in the CS (47.71 ± 4.14; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (27.4 ± 1.56; p = 0.02) groups, and was significantly shorter in the ST (9.21 ± 2.06; p < 0.001) group. Compared to the CS condition, the dark cells of DG were significantly shorter in the ST (9.21 ± 2.06; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (27.4 ± 1.56; p = 0.03) groups. Compared to the ST condition, the dark cells of DG were significantly longer in the CS + Recovery (27.4 ± 1.56; p < 0.001) group (Fig. 4).
To summarize, regarding the dark cells of DG as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, dark cells of DG were lowest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Thickness of CA1
Thickness of CA1 was significantly different between the five groups (F (4, 25) = 382.51, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (70.14 ± 1.46) group, the thickness of CA1 was significantly shorter in the CS (30.75 ± 1.38; p < 0.001), CS + Recovery (53.20 ± 3.09; p < 0.001) groups, and was significantly longer in the ST (92.19 ± 4.82; p < 0.001) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (72.35 ± 2.18) group, the thickness of CA1 was significantly shorter in the CS (30.75 ± 1.38; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (53.20 ± 3.09; p < 0.001) groups, and was significantly longer in the ST (92.19 ± 4.82; p < 0.001) group. Compared to the CS group, the thickness of CA1 was significantly longer in the ST (92.19 ± 4.82; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (53.20 ± 3.09; p < 0.001) groups. Compared to the ST condition, the thickness of CA1 was significantly shorter in the CS + Recovery (53.20 ± 3.09; p < 0.001) group (Fig. 5).
To summarize, regarding the thickness of CA1 as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, Thickness of CA1 was lowest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Thickness of DG
Thickness of DG was significantly different between the five groups (F (4, 25) = 429.58, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (68.78 ± 1.21) group, the thickness of DG was significantly shorter in the CS (34.04 ± 1.76; p < 0.001), and CS + Recovery (52.15 ± 3.30; p < 0.0001) groups, and was significantly longer in the ST (93.78 ± 3.87; p < 0.001) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (71.69 ± 2.12) group, the thickness of DG was significantly shorter in the CS (34.04 ± 1.76; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (52.15 ± 3.30; p < 0.001) groups. And was significantly longer in the ST (93.78 ± 3.87; p < 0.001) group. Compared to the CS group, the thickness of DG was significantly longer in the ST (93.78 ± 3.87; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (52.15 ± 3.30; p < 0.001) groups. Compared to the ST condition, the thickness of DG was significantly shorter in the CS + Recovery (52.15 ± 3.30; p < 0.001) group (Fig. 5).
In summary, regarding the thickness of DG as a measure of morphological change in hippocampus, it was highest in the ST condition, compared to the CS, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions. By contrast, Thickness of DG was lowest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS + ST conditions.
Percentage of time spent in the target quarter (PSTQ) in Morris Water Maze
PSTQ was significantly different between the five group conditions: (F (4, 25) = 9.63, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (43.62 ± 3.91), the PSTQ was significantly shorter in the CS (35.23 ± 7.89; p = 0.032), and was significantly longer in the ST (53.19 ± 4.46; p = 0.016), and in the CS + ST (55.63 ± 9.16; p = 0.003) groups.
Compared to the CS + ST condition, the PSTQ was significantly shorter in the CS (35.23 ± 7.89; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (47.97 ± 4.85; p = 0.049) groups. Compared to the CS condition, the PSTQ was significantly longer in the ST (53.19 ± 4.46; p < 0.001), and in the CS + Recovery (47.97 ± 4.85; p = 0.016) groups (Figs. 6 & 8).
To summarize, regarding the PSTQ as a measure of spatial memory, it was highest in the CS + ST condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery and CS conditions. By contrast, PSTQ was lowest in the CS condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery, CS + ST conditions.
The first time to reach the platform (FTRP) in Morris Water Maze
FTRP was significantly different between the five groups (F (4, 25) = 3.81, p = 0.015). Post-hoc analyses showed that compared to the CON (5.31 ± 2.7) group, the FTRP was significantly longer in the CS (18.25 ± 15.63; p = 0.005) group.
Compared to the CS + ST (4.96 ± 1.67) group, the FTRP was significantly longer in the CS (18.25 ± 15.63; p = 0.004) group. Compared to the CS condition, the FTRP was significantly shorter in the ST (5.28 ± 1.19; p < 0.005), and in the CS + Recovery (5.22 ± 3.06; p = 0.006) groups (Figs. 7 and 8).
To summarize, considering the FTRP as a measure of spatial memory, it was highest in the CS condition, compared to the CS + ST, CON, CS + Recovery and ST conditions. By contrast, FTRP was lowest in the CS + ST condition, compared to the ST, CON, CS + Recovery, and CS groups.