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Exercise-Induced Autophagy and Obesity

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Exercise, Autophagy and Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Modern lifestyle characterized by energy-rich diets and physical inactivity due to the fast-paced rhythm of life has led to the global epidemic of obesity [1]. The imbalance between energy intake and expenditure of the body is due to the increase in the size and number of adipocytes, in contributing to steatosis, which is closely related to insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and so on [2–4]. Autophagy is a lysosomal-dependent degradation pathway widely found in eukaryotic cells. In this process, long-lived or damaged proteins or organelles are degraded and recycled to produce ATP and new organelles [5]. Autophagy is a fundamental process that regulates cellular metabolism and energy balance. Exercise has always been considered as the best healthy and effective way to lose body weight, but it must be combined with calorie restriction, so-called tube shut up and move around, to achieve significant effects. Previous studies have confirmed that exercise or calorie restriction can activate autophagy in peripheral and central tissues, which is an important molecular mechanism of exercise to promote human health [6, 7]. Therefore, exercise-induced autophagy may be an effective nonpharmacological intervention to prevent and treat obesity and its complications. Herein, we will summarize the previous studies, briefly describe the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of autophagy in regulating obesity, discuss the relationship between autophagy and obesity, and how exercise-induced autophagy affects obesity, and then finally put forward exercise intervention measures for targeting autophagy in the prevention and rehabilitation of obesity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Health Science, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China

    Yanju Guo & Ning Chen

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  1. Yanju Guo
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  2. Ning Chen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Health Science, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China

    Ning Chen

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Guo, Y., Chen, N. (2021). Exercise-Induced Autophagy and Obesity. In: Chen, N. (eds) Exercise, Autophagy and Chronic Diseases. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4525-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4525-9_4

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