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Review
. 2008 Jul 24;454(7203):463-9.
doi: 10.1038/nature07206.

The role of exercise and PGC1alpha in inflammation and chronic disease

Christoph Handschin  1 , Bruce M Spiegelman
Affiliations
Review

The role of exercise and PGC1alpha in inflammation and chronic disease

Christoph Handschin et al. Nature. .

Abstract

Inadequate physical activity is linked to many chronic diseases. But the mechanisms that tie muscle activity to health are unclear. The transcriptional coactivator PGC1alpha has recently been shown to regulate several exercise-associated aspects of muscle function. We propose that this protein controls muscle plasticity, suppresses a broad inflammatory response and mediates the beneficial effects of exercise.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Clinical consequences of a sedentary lifestyle
Inactivity is an independent risk factor for a number of chronic diseases regardless of age, gender, race and health.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Inflammation and chronic diseases
A persistent, low-grade inflammatory state of different tissues is linked to the development of many chronic diseases.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Protective effect of PGC-1α on skeletal muscle
The relative level of PGC-1α in skeletal muscle is determined by physical activity. PGC-1α, in turn, controls muscle fiber adaptation to exercise and confers a number of beneficial changes. As a result, a reduction of systemic inflammation is observed in exercised individuals, possibly mediated through elevation of PGC-1α. In contrast, inactivity, and thus low skeletal muscle PGC-1α, results in a chronic inflammatory state and thereby causes serious pathological consequences. This inactivity-driven systemic inflammation is further exacerbated by obesity.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Inactivity and obesity are independent risk factors in the etiology of chronic diseases
A theoretical depiction of how sedentary lifestyle and obesity lower the threshold for age of onset and disease incidence. Together, inactivity and obesity worsen the relative risk for developing chronic diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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