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Fenili G, Scaricamazza S, Ferri A, Valle C, Paronetto MP. Physical exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a potential co-adjuvant therapeutic option to counteract disease progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1421566. [PMID: 39156974 PMCID: PMC11327861 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1421566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disorder characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. The mean survival time is two to five years. Although the hunt for drugs has greatly advanced over the past decade, no cure is available for ALS yet. The role of intense physical activity in the etiology of ALS has been debated for several decades without reaching a clear conclusion. The benefits of organized physical activity on fitness and mental health have been widely described. Indeed, by acting on specific mechanisms, physical activity can influence the physiology of several chronic conditions. It was shown to improve skeletal muscle metabolism and regeneration, neurogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and antioxidant defense. Interestingly, all these pathways are involved in ALS pathology. This review will provide a broad overview of the effect of different exercise protocols on the onset and progression of ALS, both in humans and in animal models. Furthermore, we will discuss challenges and opportunities to exploit physiological responses of imposed exercise training for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Fenili
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Scaricamazza
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferri
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Paronetto
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Dzik KP, Flis DJ, Kaczor-Keller KB, Bytowska ZK, Karnia MJ, Ziółkowski W, Kaczor JJ. Spinal cord abnormal autophagy and mitochondria energy metabolism are modified by swim training in SOD1-G93A mice. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:379-390. [PMID: 38197966 PMCID: PMC10879285 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may result from the dysfunctions of various mechanisms such as protein accumulation, mitophagy, and biogenesis of mitochondria. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms in ALS development and the impact of swim training on these processes. In the present study, an animal model of ALS, SOD1-G93A mice, was used with the wild-type mice as controls. Mice swam five times per week for 30 min. Mice were analyzed before ALS onset (70 days old), at ALS 1 disease onset (116 days old), and at the terminal stage of the disease ALS (130 days old), and compared with the corresponding ALS untrained groups and normalized to the wild-type group. Enzyme activity and protein content were analyzed in the spinal cord homogenates. The results show autophagy disruptions causing accumulation of p62 accompanied by low PGC-1α and IGF-1 content in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice. Swim training triggered a neuroprotective effect, attenuation of NF-l degradation, less accumulated p62, and lower autophagy initiation. The IGF-1 pathway induces pathophysiological adaptation to maintain energy demands through anaerobic metabolism and mitochondrial protection. KEY MESSAGES: The increased protein content of p62 in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice suggests that autophagic clearance and transportation are disrupted. Swim training attenuates neurofilament light destruction in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice. Swim training reducing OGDH provokes suppression of ATP-consuming anabolic pathways. Swim training induces energy metabolic changes and mitochondria protection through the IGF-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Patrycja Dzik
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Damian Józef Flis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Barbara Kaczor-Keller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Science, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Zofia Kinga Bytowska
- Division of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Faculty of Health Sciences With Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Mateusz Jakub Karnia
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wiesław Ziółkowski
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences With Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jan Jacek Kaczor
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland.
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Grossini E, De Marchi F, Venkatesan S, Mele A, Ferrante D, Mazzini L. Effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine on Oxidative Stress in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: Evaluation on Plasma Markers and Members of the Neurovascular Unit. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1887. [PMID: 37891966 PMCID: PMC10604350 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, the alteration of mitochondrial function, and the neurovascular unit (NVU), play a role in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. We aimed to demonstrate the changes in the plasma redox system and nitric oxide (NO) in 32 new ALS-diagnosed patients in treatment with Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) compared to healthy controls. We also evaluated the effects of plasma on human umbilical cord-derived endothelial vascular cells (HUVEC) and astrocytes. The analyses were performed at the baseline (T0), after three months (T1), and after six months (T2). In ALS patients at T0/T1, the plasma markers of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 4-hydroxy nonenal (4-HNE) were higher, whereas the antioxidants, glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were lower than in healthy controls. At T2, plasma TBARS and 4-HNE decreased, whereas plasma GSH and the GPx activity increased in ALS patients. As regards NO, the plasma levels were firmly lower at T0-T2 than those of healthy controls. Cell viability, and mitochondrial membrane potential in HUVEC/astrocytes treated with the plasma of ALS patients at T0-T2 were reduced, while the oxidant release increased. Those results, which confirmed the fundamental role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and of the NVU in ALS pathogenesis, can have a double meaning, acting as disease markers at baseline and potential markers of drug effects in clinical practice and during clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Grossini
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (E.G.); (S.V.)
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Sakthipriyan Venkatesan
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (E.G.); (S.V.)
| | - Angelica Mele
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Daniela Ferrante
- Statistic Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (F.D.M.); (A.M.)
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Swim Training Affects on Muscle Lactate Metabolism, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotides Concentration, and the Activity of NADH Shuttle Enzymes in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911504. [PMID: 36232801 PMCID: PMC9569676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aim to verify whether swim training can improve lactate metabolism, NAD+ and NADH levels, as well as modify the activity of glycolytic and NADH shuttle enzymes and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in skeletal muscle of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice. ALS mice (SOD1G93A) (n = 7 per group) were analyzed before the onset of ALS, at first disease symptoms (trained and untrained), and the last stage of disease (trained and untrained), and then compared with a wild-type (WT) group of mice. The blood lactate and the skeletal muscle concentration of lactate, NAD+ and NADH, MCT1 and MCT4 protein levels, as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities in skeletal muscle were determined by fluorometric, Western blotting, liquid chromatography-MS3 spectrometry, and spectrometric methods. In the untrained terminal ALS group, there were decreased blood lactate levels (p < 0.001) and increased skeletal muscle lactate levels (p < 0.05) as compared with a WT group of mice. The amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides in the ALS groups were also significantly reduced as well as LDH activity and the level of MCT1. Swim training increased lactate levels in the blood (p < 0.05 vs. ALS TERMINAL untrained). In addition, cytosolic MDH activity and the cMDH/LDH 2.1 ratio were significantly higher in trained vs. untrained mice (p < 0.05). The data indicate significant dysfunction of lactate metabolism in ALS mice, associated with a reduction in muscle anaerobic metabolism and NADH transporting enzymes, as well as swim-induced compensation of energy demands in the ALS mice.
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Ceccanti M, Cambieri C, Libonati L, Tartaglia G, Moret F, Garibaldi M, Inghilleri M. Effects of Skin Stimulation on Sensory-Motor Networks Excitability: Possible Implications for Physical Training in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:868792. [PMID: 35693021 PMCID: PMC9174685 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.868792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundMany different trials were assessed for rehabilitation of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with non-unique results. Beside the effects on muscle trophism, some of the encouraging results of physical training could be ascribed to the modulation of cortical excitability, which was found hyperexcited in ALS.ObjectiveThe effects of tactile skin stimulation in the modulation of the sensory-motor integrative networks in healthy subjects were assayed through the paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocol.MethodsIn total, 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. In the standard PAS session, the average amplitude of the motor evoked potential (MEP) after 10 stimuli of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was measured at the baseline and after the PAS protocol (0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min). In the skin stimulation session, the average amplitude of the MEP was measured before and after 10 min of skin stimulation over the hand. Subsequently, each subject underwent the PAS stimulation and the measure of the average amplitude of the MEP (0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min).ResultsThe tactile skin stimulation on healthy subjects increases the PAS-induced sensory-motor network hyperexcitability in healthy subjects.ConclusionSkin stimulation should be avoided in the physiotherapeutic approaches for patients with ALS, given the possible hyperexciting effects on the already upmodulated sensory-motor networks. They can be taken into account for diseases characterized by downregulation of cortical and transcortical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Ceccanti
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Libonati
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tartaglia
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moret
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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