Effect of Exercise Intensity on Epigenetic Response in Healthy Young Adult

Plain-language summary

Aerobic exercise has been shown to trigger a variety of body responses which then trigger physiological adaptations. One of the physiological adaptations that occur is an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis. Mitochondria are organelles in cells that play a role in providing energy. An increase in the number of mitochondria will increase the supply of energy for muscle cell contraction, so that muscles do not get tired easily. Mitochondrial biogenesis is known to be regulated by Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), by inducing transcription of genes encoded by the nucleus and mitochondria. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha is a protein which encoded by the PPARGC1A gene. PPARGC1A gene expression itself can be influenced by microRNA, a short non-coding RNA that can regulate gene expression by suppressing or degrading the target gene. In vitro studies show that PPARGC1A gene is a direct gene target of microRNA (miR)-23a. In human studies, aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce miR-23a levels in human muscles immediately after exercise. Another study found an increase in muscle PGC-1 alpha levels after exercise. In addition to being detectable in muscle, both miR-23a and PGC-1 alpha can be measured in blood plasma. However, whether exercise can reduce miR-23a levels while increasing PGC-1 alpha levels in circulation, still needs further research. Therefore, this study aims to examine whether aerobic exercise will reduce miR-23a levels and PGC-1 alpha levels in plasma. In addition, this study will also compare whether exercise intensity affects the expression of miR-23a and PGC-1 alpha. In this study, measurements will be made on blood plasma to reduce the level of invasiveness. Subjects will be asked to come to the laboratory three times. The first meeting consisted of an examination, while in the second and third meetings the subjects would be asked to run at a moderate or high intensity. Blood sampling will be done before and after exercise.

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