Background

Regular exercise reduces chronic disease risk and extends a healthy lifespan, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. DNA methylation is implicated in this process, potentially altering gene expression without changing DNA sequence. However, previous findings appear partly contradictory.

Objective

This review aimed to elucidate exercise effects on DNA methylation patterns.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. All articles published up to November 2023 were considered for inclusion and assessed for eligibility using the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study) framework. Randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of exercise interventions on DNA methylation in previously inactive adults were included. We evaluated the methodological quality of trials using the PEDro scale.

Results

A total of 852 results were identified, of which 12 articles met the inclusion criteria. A total of 827 subjects were included in the studies. Intervention lengths varied from 6 weeks to 12 months. Most trials indicated that exercise interventions can significantly alter the DNA methylation of specific genes and global DNA methylation patterns.

Conclusions

The heterogeneity of results may arise from differences in participant demographics, intervention factors, measurement techniques, and the genomic contexts examined. Future research should analyze the influences of activity type, intensity, and duration, as well as the physical fitness outcomes on DNA methylation. Characterizing such dose–response relationships and identifying genes responsive to exercise are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of exercise, unlocking its full potential for disease prevention and treatment.

中文翻译：

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运动对 DNA 甲基化的影响：随机对照试验的系统评价

 背景

定期锻炼可降低慢性病风险并延长健康寿命，但其潜在的分子机制仍不清楚。 DNA 甲基化参与了这一过程，可能会在不改变 DNA 序列的情况下改变基因表达。然而，之前的研究结果似乎部分矛盾。

 客观的

本综述旨在阐明运动对 DNA 甲基化模式的影响。

 方法

根据 PRISMA 2020 指南检索 PubMed、Scopus 和 Web of Science 数据库。截至 2023 年 11 月发表的所有文章均被考虑纳入，并使用 PICOS（人口、干预、比较、结果和研究）框架评估其资格。随机对照试验评估了运动干预对先前不活动的成年人 DNA 甲基化的影响。我们使用 PEDro 量表评估了试验的方法学质量。

 结果

共鉴定出 852 条结果，其中 12 篇文章符合纳入标准。该研究共有 827 名受试者。干预时间从 6 周到 12 个月不等。大多数试验表明，运动干预可以显着改变特定基因的 DNA 甲基化和整体 DNA 甲基化模式。

 结论

结果的异质性可能源于参与者人口统计、干预因素、测量技术和检查的基因组背景的差异。未来的研究应该分析活动类型、强度、持续时间以及身体健康结果对DNA甲基化的影响。表征这种剂量反应关系并识别对运动敏感的基因对于理解运动的分子机制、释放其预防和治疗疾病的全部潜力至关重要。