The dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) is critical for working memory, which declines with age. The mechanisms for aging dmPFC are oxidative stress, antioxidant defense and anatomical alterations. This study was carried out to test whether swimming training and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) are suitable interventions for curtailing free radical generation in the dmPFC in middle-aged male rats. The results indicated that superoxide and hydrogen peroxide increased in the middle-aged, as did lipid and protein oxidations, while superoxide dismutase and catalase activity decreased. There were positive correlations between age and lipofuscin. Importantly, the rats experienced reductions in neuronal number, volume and density in the dmPFC. Rats under combined interventions displayed more alleviation of the age changes than rats with single interventions suggesting the possibilities of utilizing GSPE as a functional supplement in conjunction with swimming exercise towards improving neuronal survivability, and preventing cognitive decline beyond middle-age.

背侧前额叶皮层（dmPFC）对于工作记忆至关重要，工作记忆会随着年龄的增长而下降。dmPFC老化的机制是氧化应激，抗氧化防御和解剖结构改变。进行这项研究以测试游泳训练和葡萄籽原花青素提取物（GSPE）是否是减少中年雄性大鼠dmPFC自由基产生的合适干预措施。结果表明，中年人的超氧化物和过氧化氢增加，脂质和蛋白质的氧化也增加，而超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶的活性下降。年龄与脂褐素之间呈正相关。重要的是，大鼠的dmPFC的神经元数量，体积和密度降低。