According to a new study done in mice, neurons that influence metabolism are active for up to two days after a single workout. The findings, which were published in Molecular Metabolism, offer new insight into the brain’s potential role in fitness and could provide a target for drugs to improve metabolism.
For the study, scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center measured the effects of short- and long-term exercise on two types of neurons that make up the melanocortin brain circuit, which both humans and mice share. One neuron type (POMC) is associated with reduced appetite, lower blood glucose levels, and higher energy burning, while the other (NPY/AgRP) is associated with increased appetite and decreased metabolism.
The scientists found that a single bout of exercise can boost POMC neuron activity and inhibit NPY/AgRP neuron activity for up to two days, with changes lasting longer with more training.
Apart from increasing understanding of the melanocortin brain circuit, the study also points to potential methods to improve glucose metabolism in patients with conditions such as diabetes.
The team plans to perform a follow up study to uncover the mechanism by which exercise triggers changes in melanocortin neurons. They plan to also explore how these changes may correlate with biological functions such as glucose metabolism and energy balance.
Image: A mouse study shows that a single workout can activate POMC neurons (shown in green in yellow) for up to 2 days. The activity of these neurons are important regulators of blood glucose levels and energy balance. Image courtesy of: UT Southwestern.