Promising contribution of exercise on predicting disease risk: Exerkines

By Dr. E J.Eugene, Senior Lecturer and Scientist

Many advantages can be acquired through physical exercise. Different types of biomolecules contribute to the cross- talk between organs. 'Exerkine' has become the vital term referring to any humoral factors secreted into blood circulation by various organs and tissues in response to exercise. It bridges the gap between exercise, metabolism, inflammation and other physiological mechanisms. The effects of exerkines are greatly influenced by the intricacies of exercise modality, intensity, and duration.

Dynamic link between exercise and exerkines

Exerkines are peptides, metabolites, nucleic acids and and microRNAs released into the bloodstream during and after physical exercise. Exerkines secreted from skeletal muscle (myokines), the heart (cardiokines), liver (hepatokines), white adipose tissue (adipokines), brown adipose tissue (batokines), and neurons (neurokines) may benefit health and wellbeing. These molecules, act through paracrine, endocrine, and autocrine pathways to exert their effects on various organs and tissues. Exerkines represent a complex network of signaling molecules that mediate the multiple benefits of exercise. Their roles in metabolic regulation, neuroprotection, and muscle adaptation highlight the importance of physical activity in maintaining health and preventing disease which exert influence on a multitude of intricate processes, such as muscle, adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, cardiovascular tissue, kidney, and bone. For the metabolic effect, exerkines regulate the metabolic homeostasis of organisms by increasing glucose uptake and improving fat synthesis. For the anti-inflammatory effect, exerkines positively influence various chronic inflammation-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. 

Physical activity are is a lifestyle factor with positive effects on human health and reduces disease burden, protects against the onset of pathologies, and improves the clinical course of disease. Exercise is cayergorised into two types: Acute exercise is a single episode of exercise (often resistant or aerobic exercise) and is completed during one visit. Meanwhile chronic exercise is conducted at multiple episodes (often resistant or aerobic exercise) over the course of weeks to months. Exerkines which are released in response to acute and/or chronic exercise exert their effects through endocrine, paracrine and/or autocrine pathways.

Conclusion

Although exercise exerts many beneficial effects across multiple organ systems,  understanding of the mechanisms remains rudimentary. To improve translation of results, the heterogeneity across studies needs to be minimized by reducing exposure variability and using standardized, consistent outcome measuresAdditionally, the therapeutic potential of exerkines in various diseases requires further exploration. Clinical trials involved in the investigation of exerkine-based interventions for conditions such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer are highly expected. Furthermore, exerkines also show a promising target as biomarkers for predicting disease risk, progression, and treatment response., Much work remains to be done in the field of exercise science, and the gaps that remain should be viewed as an enormous opportunity for the medical community.