Impact of resistance training on the autophagy-inflammation-apoptosis crosstalk in elderly subjects

• Published in: Aging (Albany, NY.) Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 408 - 418
• Main Authors: Mejías-Peña, Yubisay, Estébanez, Brisamar, Rodriguez-Miguelez, Paula, Fernandez-Gonzalo, Rodrigo, Almar, Mar, de Paz, José A., González-Gallego, Javier, Cuevas, María J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Impact Journals LLC 02.02.2017
• Subjects: Aged; Apoptosis - physiology; Autophagy - physiology; Autophagy-Related Protein 12 - metabolism; Autophagy-Related Proteins - metabolism; Beclin-1 - metabolism; Female; Humans; Inflammasomes - metabolism; Inflammation - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 2 - metabolism; Male; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein - metabolism; Research Paper; Resistance Training; apoptosis; autophagy; resistance exercise; elderly; inflammasome
• ISSN: 1945-4589; 1945-4589
• DOI: 10.18632/aging.101167

Aging is associated with a decline in autophagy and a state of low-grade inflammation which further affects apoptosis and autophagy. Importantly, these alterations could reverse with regular physical activity. This study assessed the effects of a resistance exercise training program on autophagy, NLRP3 inflammasome, and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from old subjects. Twenty-six healthy women and men (age, 69.6±1.5 yr) were randomized to a training (TG) or a control (CG) group. TG performed an 8-week resistance training program, while CG followed their daily routines. Protein expression of beclin-1, Atg12, Atg16 and LAMP-2 increased following the training program, while expression of p62/SQSTM1 and phosphorylation of ULK-1 at Ser757 were significantly lower. Resistance exercise also induced a decrease in NLRP3 expression and in the caspase-1/procaspase-1 ratio. Expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, as well as the Bad/BcL-2 ratio were reduced, and there was a significant decrease in the protein content of caspase-3. The results obtained seem to indicate that 8-week resistance training stimulates autophagy, prevents NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and reduces apoptosis in PBMCs from elderly subjects. These data could have a significant impact in prevention and rehabilitation programs currently employed in elderly population.