Abstract
Epigenetic modifications occur in response to environmental changes and play a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression. PA is found to elicit an inflammatory response, both from the innate and adaptive divisions of the immunological system. The inflammatory reaction is considered a vital trigger of epigenetic changes that in turn modulate inflammatory actions. The tissue responses to PA involve local and general changes. The epigenetic mechanisms involved include: DNA methylation, histone proteins modification and microRNA. All of them affect genetic expression in an inflammatory milieu in physical exercise depending on the magnitude of physiological stress experienced by the exerciser. PA may evoke acute or chronic biochemical and physiological responses and have a positive or negative immunomodulatory effect.
Highlights
These observations suggest that the simultaneous inclusion of high-intensity interval training and resistance training may promote a more favorable post-exercise anabolic response compared to resistance exercise (RE)
The increased cross-sectional area of the biceps, quadriceps and hamstrings were noted. These results indicate that miRNAs are involved in the adaptation of skeletal muscle to resistance training, their exact role in this process is still not clear [87]
There are two main sources of miRNA in blood: (i) cellular miRNAs found in PBMCs and (ii) extracellular miRNAs found in vesicles, exosomes, apoptotic bodies, high-density lipoprotein particles and protein-bound miRNAs [109]. miRNAs collected from blood during or after exercise are mainly related to skeletal muscle damage or plasticity, cardiovascular system, brain and neural tissue and the immune system [109,110]
Summary
Regular physical activity (PA) induces a broad variety of molecular changes on multiple levels in a multitude of target tissues. They trigger functional changes in skeletal muscle strength and performance, fat tissue metabolism and cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations, as well as bringing about immunomodulatory effects. Exercise training has strong immunoregulatory effects that involve the molecular cross-talk between the immune system and epigenetic changes in the genome. Exercise acts as a strong environmental factor affects epigenetic modifications, and these, in turn, regulate inflammatory responses in peripheral tissues (reviewed in [3]). We will provide detailed, up-to-date examples of local and peripheral responses to PA on an epigenetic level. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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