The Impact of Exercise on Telomere Length, DNA Methylation and Metabolic Footprints

Abstract

Aging as a major risk factor influences the probability of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, amongst others. The underlying mechanisms of disease are still not fully understood, but research suggests that delaying the aging process could ameliorate these pathologies. A key biological process in aging is cellular senescence which is associated with several stressors such as telomere shortening or enhanced DNA methylation. Telomere length as well as DNA methylation levels can be used as biological age predictors which are able to detect excessive acceleration or deceleration of aging. Analytical methods examining aging are often not suitable, expensive, time-consuming or require a high level of technical expertise. Therefore, research focusses on combining analytical methods which have the potential to simultaneously analyse epigenetic, genomic as well as metabolic changes.

Nutritional Supplementation and Exercise as Essential Allies in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure: The Metabolic and Molecular Bases

“…However, the mechanism responsible for these beneficial effects has not been fully explained. Recently, different mechanisms have been identified and extensively reviewed [ 21 ].…”

“…It has been demonstrated that both light exercise and aerobic exercises, and/or overall fitness maintain telomere length. This is a very interesting phenomenon because telomere length controls the terminal regions of chromosomal DNA from progressive degradation, and ensures the integrity of linear chromosomes, correlating with cellular damage including senescence-induced damage [ 21 ].…”

“…Other studies show that physical activity is strongly correlated with epigenetic changes. Indeed, exercise influences DNA methylation and consequently transcription or the repression of genes, which influence cell proliferation [ 21 ]. In addition, metabolomic studies show that physical exercise modifies thousands of blood metabolites, which are in turn able to influence, global metabolism and inflammation [ 21 ].…”

“…Indeed, exercise influences DNA methylation and consequently transcription or the repression of genes, which influence cell proliferation [ 21 ]. In addition, metabolomic studies show that physical exercise modifies thousands of blood metabolites, which are in turn able to influence, global metabolism and inflammation [ 21 ]. However, one question remains unresolved: what type of physical activity/exercise has the greatest health promoting effects?…”

Reflexiones de la prescripción de ejercicio físico en la consulta del médico familiar

“…La realización de ejercicio físico ajustado según el contexto personal tiene beneficios psiconeuroinmunoendocrinos, aumentando la síntesis de proteínas y la masa muscular; el ejercicio combinado (fuerza + cardiorrespiratorio) es el más adecuado para disminuir la sarcopenia. Desde el punto de vista fisiológico, el ejercicio de fuerza mejora la densidad y dinámica mitocondrial; a la par el ejercicio cardiorrespiratorio aumenta la capacidad antioxidante mitocondrial optimizando el flujo sanguíneo al incrementar el óxido nítrico permitiendo una mayor circulación de antioxidantes, favoreciendo el aumento de la longitud de los telómeros retrasando el envejecimiento; esta conjugación acrecienta las funciones musculares y vasculares fomentando un envejecimiento saludable [14][15][16][17] .…”