Exercise Modulates Pathological Course of Alzheimer’s Disease

Modulation of iron metabolism in both the brain and the muscles through regular physical exercise is revealed in an experimental study at the University of Eastern Finland, published in a special issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences entitled Redox-Active Metals in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Therapeutic Implications. The findings also help to better understand the benefits of exercise in Alzheimer’s disease. Ageing and AD is found to be associated with the dysregulation of brain iron metabolism and iron accumulation. However the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

Generally, the iron load and inflammation regulate the synthesis of a main iron regulatory protein called hepcidin. The activation of this protein synthesis in the brain is known to be modulated by the inflammation-modulating cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Physical Exercise and Brain

Physical exercise has multiple benefits for the body. Along with this, it also is involved in maintaining brain homeostasis through iron metabolism and anti-inflammatory action.

The study team evaluated wild-type mice and 5xFAD transgenic mice, modeling AD to explore the effect of regular physical exercise on the modulation of iron homeostasis. The mice (half of the mice) were given unlimited use of a running wheel during the six-month experiment.

It was found that the regular physical exercise modulates iron storage and trafficking in both the brain and skeletal muscle. Exercise also reduced the cortical hepcidin and suggests that IL-6 is a key modulator of hepcidin in exercise-induced brain iron modulation.

The study thereby helps in better understanding the beneficial role of regular exercise. This helps in the prevention of the disease and formulation of effective treatment approaches.

Source-Medindia