Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Nov 9;25(22):12043. doi: 10.3390/ijms252212043.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the significant effects of physical exercise on brain plasticity, the enhancement of memory and cognition, and mood improvement. Although the beneficial impact of exercise on brain functions and mental health is well established, the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently under thorough investigation. Several hypotheses have emerged suggesting various possible mechanisms, including the effects of hormones, neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, and more recently also other compounds such as lactate or irisin, which are released under the exercise circumstances and act both locally or/and on distant tissues, triggering systemic body reactions. Nevertheless, none of these actually explain the long-lasting effect of exercise, which can persist for years or even be passed on to subsequent generations. It is believed that these long-lasting effects are mediated through epigenetic modifications, influencing the expression of particular genes and the translation and modification of specific proteins. This review explores the impact of regular physical exercise on brain function and brain plasticity and the associated occurrence of epigenetic modifications. It examines how these changes contribute to the prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as their influence on the natural aging process and mental health.
多项研究表明，体育锻炼对大脑的可塑性、记忆力和认知能力的提高以及情绪的改善有显著影响。虽然运动对大脑功能和心理健康的有益影响已经得到充分证实，但目前仍在深入研究这一现象的具体机制。有几个假说已经出现，提出了各种可能的机制，包括激素、神经营养因子、神经递质等，最近还有其他化合物如乳酸或鸢尾素，它们在运动条件下释放，在局部或/和远处组织发挥作用，引发全身反应。然而，这些假说都没有真正解释运动的持久效果，运动的持久效果可以持续多年，甚至可以传递给后代。人们认为，这些持久的效果是通过表观遗传修饰介导的，影响特定基因的表达以及特定蛋白质的翻译和修饰。本综述探讨了规律的体育锻炼对大脑功能和大脑可塑性的影响以及与之相关的表观遗传修饰的发生。它研究了这些变化如何有助于预防和治疗神经精神和神经退行性疾病，以及它们对自然衰老过程和心理健康的影响。
