Expression levels of specific microRNAs are increased after exercise and are associated with cognitive improvement in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

There is a consensus regarding the efficacy of physical exercise in maintaining or improving human health; however, there are few studies examining the effect of physical exercise on the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNA/miRs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an interval training program on a cycle ergometer on the expression levels of miR-106a-5p, miR-103a-3p and miR-29a-3p in serum samples from men with PD. This was a quasi-experimental study with pre-and post-testing and with a non-equivalent group design. The participants were selected based on the eligibility criteria and subsequently classified into two groups: Experimental group and control group. The evaluations were performed at the beginning of the study (week 0) and after 8 weeks of the intervention program (week 9). The interval training program was performed on a cycle ergometer for 30 min, three times a week during an 8-week period. The expression levels of miR-106a-5p, miR-103a-3p and miR-29a-3p in the experimental group were increased after physical exercise and were associated with cognitive improvement in men with PD. However, further studies are required to clarify the potential use of these circulating miRNAs as markers of adaptation to physical exercise. Collectively, the present results indicated that these three miRNAs may be associated with the exercise response and cognitive improvement in men with PD.

Physical Activity as a Preventive Lifestyle Intervention Acts Through Specific Exosomal miRNA Species—Evidence From Human Short- and Long-Term Pilot Studies

“…The expression levels of ex-miR-23a; ex-miR-142-3p were significantly elevated in the serum of PD patients, unlike in our study where miR-142 showed a decrease in expression compared to healthy, but sedentary state ( Barbagallo et al, 2020 ). Previous studies have also reported the benefits of physical exercise in improving the symptoms in individuals with PD ( Da Silva et al, 2021 ). Taken together these reports suggest the protective role of miR-142-3p in PD, though further studies are required.…”

Identification of serum microRNA alterations associated with long-term exercise-induced motor improvements in patients with Parkinson disease

“…[2] Unfortunately, very few studies have focused on the impact of exercise on circulating miRNAs in PD and other NDs. Da Silva et al [17] investigated the effects of a cycle ergometer-based exercise training program on the expression levels of serum miR-106a-5p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-29a-3p in male patients with PD, and reported that the levels of all these miRNAs were elevated in the exercise group (n = 8). However, the authors only measured 3 specific miRNAs in a small group of PD patients, which limited the application of their research findings.…”

“…[15,16] However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the levels of differentially expressed circulating miRNAs after exercise in PD. Although Da Silva et al [17] conducted some relevant research, but they only measured 3 specific miRNAs, which limited the application of their findings.…”

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease: Recent Advancement

“…The results showed that elevated miR-133b and miR-221-3p levels differentiated early-stage PD from controls [ 214 ]. An interesting study demonstrated that the expressions of miR-106a-5p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-29a-3p in the experimental group were upregulated after physical exercise and were associated with cognitive improvement in patients with PD, suggesting evidence for the efficacy of physical exercise in maintaining or alleviating PD development [ 215 ]. Using a similar approach, Oliveira et al identified and validated the low expression of serum miR-146a, miR-335-3p, and miR-335-5p in iPD ( n = 45) and LRRK2-PD ( n = 20) compared to the control group ( n = 20) [ 216 ].…”