Figure 3.

Effect of exercise on mitochondrial uncoupling and peripheral organs. Abbreviations: ANT-1 (Adenine Nucletotide Transferase-1), BAT (Brown Adipose Tissue), UCP-1 (Uncoupling Protein-1), WAT (White Adipose Tissue). Different kinds of physical exercise (acute and chronic) trigger mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle, by activating and by increasing both UCP-1 and ANT-1 expression. Of note, molecular mechanisms triggered differ according to the species considered and are not yet entirely defined. Activation of mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle also reduces oxidative stress and induces mitochondrial adaptations (including increase in mitochondrial mass, increase in respiratory chain component abundance). Physical exercise also has an impact on adipose tissues. In BAT, mitochondrial uncoupling will be activated (UCP-1 dependent), while it will be attenuated in WAT. Browning of WAT will also be induced, an effect dependent, at least partially, on irisin secretion by skeletal muscle. An association between decreased Firmicutes level in gastrointestinal tract (associated with physical exercise) and WAT browning has also been observed. In case of sustained physical exercise, adipose tissue mass will decrease which will alleviate both oxidative stress and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.