Exercise-Generated β-Aminoisobutyric Acid (BAIBA) Reduces Cardiomyocyte Metabolic Stress and Apoptosis Caused by Mitochondrial Dysfunction Through the miR-208b/AMPK Pathway

Noncoding RNA as potential therapeutics to rescue mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of mitochondrial function in cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have explored the manipulation of ncRNAs in mitochondrial dysfunction in different cardiovascular disease contexts, however, there is a dearth of information on the exploration of these noncoding RNAs as actual therapeutics to ameliorate cardiovascular diseases. This systematic review examines the roles of various ncRNAs in modulating mitochondrial dysfunction across major cardiovascular diseases and how they can be targeted to the mitochondria. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Web of Science and Scopus databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. Original research articles in the English language, focusing on ncRNAs and mitochondrial dysfunction in specific cardiovascular diseases, were eligible for inclusion. A total of 76 studies were included in the systematic review with up to 100 ncRNAs identified as therapeutic biomarkers. The identified ncRNAs participate in regulating mitochondrial processes including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), fission/fusion dynamics, apoptosis, and calcium handling in cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondrial targeting moieties including mitochondrial targeting cell-penetrating peptides, mitochondrial targeting liposomes, and aptamers can be conjugated to ncRNAs and delivered to the heart via various injection routes including the pericardium or the myocardium. However, significant challenges remain in developing effective delivery methods to modulate these ncRNAs in vivo.

The role of physical exercise in modulating microRNAs expression in acute myocardial infarction: a review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising tools for diagnosis and treatment in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this context, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death by CVD worldwide. In this sense, physical exercise (PE) is considered a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the complex alterations in AMI. This study is an integrative review of the literature to explore the effects of PE on the cardiomyocyte post-AMI, including an understanding of the mechanisms by which the PE acts on the miRNAs expression. A review was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. After the searches, all records were imported into the Mendeley software, and duplicate articles were removed. The year of publication of the papers was not limited. 19 studies were performed on animal models, 10 in experimental models using rats, and 08 in models with mice and only one study was carried out on patients with AMI. The results showed the potential use of miRNAs as diagnostic tools and attractive biomarkers for treating AMI. In addition, PE can regulate miRNAs expression in the myocardial cell, promotes apoptosis resistance, autophagy regulation, lower cardiac fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy, and higher angiogenesis through the signaling of miRNAs. The main microRNAs mitigating the deleterious effects of AMI and modulated by PE were miRNA-222, miRNA-1192, miRNA-146, and miRNA-126. PE modulates the expression of specific miRNAs that support cardiac function, promoting cardioprotective effects or facilitating cardiac recovery post-AMI.

The muscle-intervertebral disc interaction mediated by L-BAIBA modulates extracellular matrix homeostasis and PANoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells

Upon engaging in physical activity, skeletal muscle synthesizes myokines, which not only facilitate crosstalk with various organs, including the brain, adipose tissue, bone, liver, gut, pancreas, and skin but also promote intramuscular signaling. Crosstalk is vital for maintaining various physiological processes. However, the specific interactions between skeletal muscle and intervertebral discs remain largely unexplored. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), an exercise-induced myokine and a metabolite of branched-chain amino acids in skeletal muscle, has emerged as a key player in this context. Our study demonstrated that exercise significantly elevates BAIBA levels in skeletal muscle, plasma, and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues. Moreover, exercise enhances extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in NP tissues and upregulates L-BAIBA synthase in skeletal muscle. Both in vivo and in vitro evidence revealed that L-BAIBA impedes PANoptosis and ECM degradation in NP cells by activating the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that exercise, coupled with the resulting increase in L-BAIBA, may serve as an effective intervention to decelerate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Consequently, L-BAIBA, which originates from skeletal muscle, is a promising new therapeutic approach for IDD.

The Role and Potential Mechanisms of Rehabilitation Exercise Improving Cardiac Remodeling

Rehabilitation exercise is a crucial non-pharmacological intervention for the secondary prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, effectively ameliorating cardiac remodeling in patients. Exercise training can mitigate cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reduce extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis, promote angiogenesis, and regulate inflammatory response to improve cardiac remodeling. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent research progress, summarizing the pivotal role and underlying mechanism of rehabilitation exercise in improving cardiac remodeling and providing valuable insights for devising effective rehabilitation treatment programs. Graphical Abstract.

The Role of Exerkines in Obesity-Induced Disruption of Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Thermogenic Fat

There is a notable correlation between mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolic disruption. In this review, we report that obesity-induced disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis adversely affects lipid metabolism, adipocyte differentiation, oxidative capacity, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and thermogenesis in thermogenic fat. Elevating mitochondrial homeostasis in thermogenic fat emerges as a promising avenue for developing treatments for metabolic diseases, including enhanced mitochondrial function, mitophagy, mitochondrial uncoupling, and mitochondrial biogenesis. The exerkines (e.g., myokines, adipokines, batokines) released during exercise have the potential to ameliorate mitochondrial homeostasis, improve glucose and lipid metabolism, and stimulate fat browning and thermogenesis as a defense against obesity-associated metabolic diseases. This comprehensive review focuses on the manifold benefits of exercise-induced exerkines, particularly emphasizing their influence on mitochondrial homeostasis and fat thermogenesis in the context of metabolic disorders associated with obesity.

Molecular Insights into Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Effects: Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analyses

INTRODUCTION

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an evolving non-invasive neurostimulation technique. Despite multiple studies, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Several previous human studies of the effect of tDCS suggest that it generates metabolic effects. The induction of metabolic effects by tDCS could provide an explanation for how it generates its long-term beneficial clinical outcome.

AIM

Given these hints of tDCS metabolic effects, we aimed to delineate the metabolic pathways involved in its mode of action.

METHODS

To accomplish this, we utilized a broad analytical approach of co-analyzing metabolomics and transcriptomic data generated from anodal tDCS in rat models. Since no metabolomic dataset was available, we performed a tDCS experiment of bilateral anodal stimulation of 200 µA for 20 min and for 5 consecutive days, followed by harvesting the brain tissue below the stimulating electrode and generating a metabolomics dataset using LC-MS/MS. The analysis of the transcriptomic dataset was based on a publicly available dataset.

RESULTS

Our analyses revealed that tDCS alters the metabolic profile of brain tissue, affecting bioenergetic-related pathways, such as glycolysis and mitochondrial functioning. In addition, we found changes in calcium-related signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that tDCS affects metabolism by modulating energy production-related processes. Given our findings concerning calcium-related signaling, we suggest that the immediate effects of tDCS on calcium dynamics drive modifications in distinct metabolic pathways. A thorough understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of tDCS has the potential to revolutionize its applicability, enabling the generation of personalized medicine in the field of neurostimulation and thus contributing to its optimization.

The function of previously unappreciated exerkines secreted by muscle in regulation of neurodegenerative diseases

The initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), distinguished by compromised nervous system integrity, profoundly disrupt the quality of life of patients, concurrently exerting a considerable strain on both the economy and the social healthcare infrastructure. Exercise has demonstrated its potential as both an effective preventive intervention and a rehabilitation approach among the emerging therapeutics targeting NDs. As the largest secretory organ, skeletal muscle possesses the capacity to secrete myokines, and these myokines can partially improve the prognosis of NDs by mediating the muscle-brain axis. Besides the well-studied exerkines, which are secreted by skeletal muscle during exercise that pivotally exert their beneficial function, the physiological function of novel exerkines, e.g., apelin, kynurenic acid (KYNA), and lactate have been underappreciated previously. Herein, this review discusses the roles of these novel exerkines and their mechanisms in regulating the progression and improvement of NDs, especially the significance of their functions in improving NDs' prognoses through exercise. Furthermore, several myokines with potential implications in ameliorating ND progression are proposed as the future direction for investigation. Elucidation of the function of exerkines secreted by skeletal muscle in the regulation of NDs advances the understanding of its pathogenesis and facilitates the development of therapeutics that intervene in these processes to cure NDs.

L-β-aminoisobutyric acid, L-BAIBA, a marker of bone mineral density and body mass index, and D-BAIBA of physical performance and age

As both L- and D-BAIBA are increased with exercise, we sought to determine if circulating levels would be associated with physical performance. Serum levels of L- and D-BAIBA were quantified in 120 individuals (50% female) aged 20-85 years and categorized as either a "low" (LP), "average" (AP) or "high" performing (HP). Association analysis was performed using Spearman (S) and Pearson (P) correlation. Using Spearman correlation, L-BAIBA positively associated with (1) body mass index BMI (0.23) and total fat mass (0.19) in the 120 participants, (2) total fat mass in the 60 males (0.26), and (3) bone mineral density, BMD, (0.28) in addition to BMI (0.26) in the 60 females. In HP females, L-BAIBA positively associated with BMD (0.50) and lean mass (0.47). D-BAIBA was positively associated with (1) age (P 0.20) in the 120 participants, (2) age (P 0.49) in the LP females and (3) with gait speed (S 0.20) in the 120 participants. However, in HP males, this enantiomer had a negative association with appendicular lean/height (S - 0.52) and in the AP males a negative correlation with BMD (S - 0.47). No associations were observed in HP or AP females, whereas, in LP females, a positive association was observed with grip strength (S 0.45), but a negative with BMD (P - 0.52, S - 0.63) and chair stands (P - 0.47, S - 0.51). L-BAIBA may play a role in BMI and BMD in females, not males, whereas D-BAIBA may be a marker for aging and physical performance. The association of L-BAIBA with BMI and fat mass may reveal novel, not previously described functions for this enantiomer.

Melphalan induced germ cell toxicity and dose-dependent effects of β-aminoisobutyric acid in experimental rat model: Role of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

The success of chemotherapy regimens has led to an increase in cancer survival rate over the last decades. Melphalan has been widely used for the treatment of several types of cancers despite its gonadotoxic effects. Due to its ability to cause mutations in the spermatogonial stem cells and spermatids, melphalan can exert a negative impact on male reproductive health in young cancer survivors. β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), a myokine released by skeletal muscles, has been reported to have beneficial effects in diabetic nephropathy, cardiomyopathy and hepatic toxicity. However, the exact role of BAIBA in chemotherapy-induced germ cell toxicity is still unexplored. The present study aims to determine the dose-dependent (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) effects of BAIBA on melphalan-induced (1.5 mg/kg) germ cell toxicity in sprague-dawley (SD) rats. The evaluation parameters included quantification of oxidative stress biomarkers, sperm count, sperm motility and head morphology, sperm and testicular DNA damage, sperm mitochondrial membrane potential, ultrastructural changes in sperms, histological and protein expression studies in testes. Melphalan treatment significantly altered all the above-mentioned parameters and the high dose (100 mg/kg) of BAIBA restored melphalan-induced toxicity in a significant manner by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. However, the medium dose (50 mg/kg) of BAIBA decreased the toxicity of melphalan and the low dose (25 mg/kg) of BAIBA failed to counteract the melphalan-induced male germ cell toxicity as well as the peripheral blood micronucleus induction. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic role of BAIBA in melphalan-induced gonadal damage is a novel finding in an experimental rat model.

Signaling metabolite β-aminoisobutyric acid as a metabolic regulator, biomarker, and potential exercise pill

Signaling metabolites can effectively regulate the biological functions of many tissues and organs. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), a product of valine and thymine catabolism in skeletal muscle, has been reported to participate in the regulation of lipid, glucose, and bone metabolism, as well as in inflammation and oxidative stress. BAIBA is produced during exercise and is involved in the exercise response. No side effect has been observed in human and rat studies, suggesting that BAIBA can be developed as a pill that confers the benefits of exercise to subjects who, for some reason, are unable to do so. Further, BAIBA has been confirmed to participate in the diagnosis and prevention of diseases as an important biological marker of disease. The current review aimed to discuss the roles of BAIBA in multiple physiological processes and the possible pathways of its action, and assess the progress toward the development of BAIBA as an exercise mimic and biomarker with relevance to multiple disease states, in order to provide new ideas and strategies for basic research and disease prevention in related fields.

Exercise Restores Hypothalamic Health in Obesity by Reshaping the Inflammatory Network

Obesity and overnutrition induce inflammation, leptin-, and insulin resistance in the hypothalamus. The mediobasal hypothalamus responds to exercise enabling critical adaptions at molecular and cellular level that positively impact local inflammation. This review discusses the positive effect of exercise on obesity-induced hypothalamic dysfunction, highlighting the mechanistic aspects related to the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. In HFD-fed animals, both acute and chronic moderate-intensity exercise mitigate microgliosis and lower inflammation in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). Notably, this associates with restored leptin sensitivity and lower food intake. Exercise-induced cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 mediate part of these positive effect on the ARC in obese animals. The reduction of obesity-associated pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., FFAs, TNFα, resistin, and AGEs), and the improvement in the gut-brain axis represent alternative paths through which regular exercise can mitigate hypothalamic inflammation. These findings suggest that the regular practice of exercise can restore a proper functionality in the hypothalamus in obesity. Further analysis investigating the crosstalk muscle-hypothalamus would help toward a deeper comprehension of the subject.

The L-enantiomer of β- aminobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) as a potential marker of bone mineral density, body mass index, while D-BAIBA of physical performance and age

Background

As both L- and D-BAIBA are increased with exercise, we sought to determine if circulating levels would be associated with physical performance.

Method

Serum levels of L- and D-BAIBA were quantified in 120 individuals (50% female) aged 20-85 years and categorized as either a "low" (LP), "average"(AP) or "high" performer (HP).Association analysis was performed using Spearman (S) and Pearson (P) rank correlation.

Results

Using the Spearman (S) rank correlation, L-BAIBA positively associated with BMI (0.23) and total fat mass (0.19) in the 120 participants, with total fat mass in the 60 males (0.26) but with both BMI (0.26) and BMD (0.28) in the 60 females. In the HP females, L-BAIBA positively associated with BMD (0.50) and lean mass (0.47).Using the Pearson (P) rank correlation D-BAIBA was positively associated with age (0.20) in the 120 participants and in the LP females (0.49). D-BAIBA associated with gait speed (S 0.20) in the 120 participants. In HP males, this enantiomer had a negative association with appendicular lean/height (S -0.52) and in the AP males with BMD (S -0.47). No associations were observed in HP or AP females, whereas, in LP females, in addition to a positive association with age, a positive association was observed with grip strength (S 0.45), but a negative with BMD (P -0.52, S -0.63) and chair stands (P -0.47, S -0.51).

Conclusions

L-BAIBA may play a role in BMI and BMD in females, not males, whereas D-BAIBA may be a marker for aging.

β‑aminoisobutyric acid ameliorates hypertensive vascular remodeling via activating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway in VSMCs

Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of hypertension-related vascular remodeling. β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) is a nonprotein β-amino acid with multiple pharmacological actions. Recently, BAIBA has been shown to attenuate salt‑sensitive hypertension, but the role of BAIBA in hypertension-related vascular remodeling has yet to be fully clarified. This study examined the potential roles and underlying mechanisms of BAIBA in VSMC proliferation and migration induced by hypertension. Primary VSMCs were cultured from the aortas of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our results showed that BAIBA pretreatment obviously alleviated the phenotypic transformation, proliferation, and migration of SHR-derived VSMCs. Exogenous BAIBA significantly inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines by diminishing phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 NFκB, retarding IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, as well as erasing STAT3 phosphorylation in VSMCs. Supplementation of BAIBA triggered Nrf2 dissociation from Keap1 and inhibited oxidative stress in VSMCs from SHR. Mechanistically, activation of the AMPK/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) axis was required for BAIBA to cube hypertension-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, oxidative damage and inflammatory response. Most importantly, exogenous BAIBA alleviated hypertension, ameliorated vascular remodeling and fibrosis, abated vascular oxidative burst and inflammation in SHR, an effect that was abolished by deficiency of AMPKα1 and SIRT1. BAIBA might serve as a novel therapeutic agent to prevent vascular remodeling in the context of hypertension.