Fig. 2. Neurological defect score in each group.^###P<0.001 vs. C group;^* P<0.05 vs. VD group.

VD-induced anxiety behavior was ameliorated by treadmill exercise

In open field test, the VD rats had fewer number of times to enter the central area and spent less time in center area than control rats, whereas the total distances traveled within the open field were the same between the control and VD groups (P<0.01, P<0.001; Fig. 3A-B). After treadmill exercise intervention, significantly elevated number of times to enter the central area and time in center area in the Exe-VD rats when compared with VD group (P<0.01, P<0.001; Fig. 3A-B), whereas did not differ between the VD and Exe-VD groups. This result suggests that the VD rats have a mild anxiety, while their locomotor activity is normal. In addition, the anxiety behavior in VD rats can be rescued by physical exercise.