Research advances on high-intensity interval training and cognitive function / 生理学报

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has proven to be a time-saving and efficient exercise strategy. Compared with traditional aerobic exercise, it can provide similar or even better health benefits. In recent years, a number of studies have suggested that HIIT could be used as a potential exercise rehabilitation therapy to improve cognitive impairment caused by obesity, diabetes, stroke, dementia and other diseases. HIIT may be superior to regular aerobic exercise. This article reviews the recent research progress on HIIT with a focus on its beneficial effect on brain cognitive function and the underlying mechanisms. HIIT may become an effective exercise for the prevention and/or improvement of brain cognitive disorder.

Aerobic exercise reduces the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and inflammatory factors in hippocampus of mice with insulin resistance / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to observe the expression of pyroptosis- and inflammation-related proteins in the hippocampus of mice with insulin resistance (IR) after aerobic exercise, and to explore the possible mechanism of exercise to improve IR. C57BL/6J male mice of 6 weeks old were randomly fed with normal diet (n = 12) and high-fat diet (HFD) (n = 26) for 12 weeks respectively. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed to determine whether IR occurred in HFD mice. Then the mice were randomly divided into control group (n = 12), IR group (n = 10) and IR + aerobic exercise group (AE, n = 10). Mice in AE group performed a 12-week progressive speed treadmill training after being adapted to the treadmill for one week. After the intervention, the expression of pyroptosis- and inflammation-related proteins in hippocampus was detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with control group, NFκB, Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pyroptosis-related proteins like pro-Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), GSDMD-N, and inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18 were significantly increased. The inflammasome-related protein NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) and pyroptosis-related protein Caspase-1 showed an increasing trend, but there was no significant difference. Compared with the IR group, progressive speed treadmill training significantly reduced the expression of NFκB, NLRP3, NEK7, ASC, pro-Caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the hippocampus of mice with IR. These results suggested 12-week progressive speed treadmill training can significantly reduce the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of mice with IR, and inhibit pyroptosis.

Research advances on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic biological effects of methane / 生理学报

Methane (CH) is the simplest hydrocarbons and endogenous CHhas been thought only to be generated by methanogens in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of the mammals. However, recent animal studies have shown that endogenous CHcan also be generated from choline and its metabolites in the mammals to protect the plasma membrane from reactive oxygen species attack and repair the membrane. In addition, exogenous CHcan ameliorate the oxidative stress injury of multiple tissues and organs through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptosis effects. This paper reviews the recent researches about CHsynthetic metabolism and biological functions, and highlights its potential of wide application in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress related diseases and the significance for the development of gas medicine.