Training effect: How sport protects against illness

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MunichRegular exercise protects against numerous diseases - from stroke to diabetes to cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon were still largely unknown.

A team led by Robert Gerszen from Harvard Medical School has now found a protein that plays a key role in the health effects of sport: the protein molecule PGC-1alpha. It regulates gene activity in muscle cells. When a muscle is working, it is produced in larger quantities.

Boosted calorie expenditure

In experiments with mice and with human cell cultures, the researchers were able to show that the protein in turn increases the production of beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA). This has a crucial function for the metabolism: It boosts the calorie turnover in the fat cells. In mice this leads to a reduced weight and an improved blood sugar balance.

In fact, previous studies have already shown that humans also release larger amounts of BAIBA during exercise. The acid is associated with low fasting blood sugar levels and reduced insulin production - among other things, this has a positive effect on the risk of diabetes. BAIBA also reduces the amount of blood lipids such as triglycerides and cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack. In addition, higher BAIBA levels seem to be associated with a lower BMI (body mass index).

Signal exchange between the organs

"Signal substances that are released in an organ, such as the muscles here, during training, can be transported further via the bloodstream and also influence other tissues such as fat cells and the liver," explains study leader Gerszen.

It appears that BAIBA plays an essential role in the beneficial effect that training has on metabolic disorders. "It could have therapeutic potential to manipulate BAIBA levels or enzymes that influence BAIBA production," explains Gerszen. The breakdown of fat promoted in this way could probably influence various metabolic aspects related to heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. (cf)

Source: Roberts et al .: Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid Induces Browning of White Fat and Hepatic Beta-Oxidation and Is Inversely Correlated with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ", Cell Metabolism,, Volume 19, Issue 1, 96-108, 7 January 2014

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