Exercise cures depression because of PGC-1a1 protein, a study reveals

Exercise has been long known to have beneficial qualities especially pertaining to those who are diagnosed with depression.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet, in completing the study, concluded, “It’s possible that this work opens up a new pharmacological principle in the treatment of depression, where attempts could be made to influence skeletal muscle function instead of targeting the brain directly. Skeletal muscle appears to have a detoxification effect that, when activated, can protect the brain from insults and related mental illness.”

For a while, scientists are aware of the fact that after exercise, the levels of PGC-1a1 increases, which is a skeletal muscle protein. These researchers wanted to know if this protein had anything to do with the benefits of exercise.

So, genetically modified mice with high levels of PGC-1a1 in skeletal muscle were exposed to a stressful environment in the lab along with normal mice. This meant having their circadian rhythms reversed at irregular levels, flashing nights and loud noises.

What was found that normal mice showed signs of depression whereas the ones who had strong skeletal muscles showed none of these signs.

And even though this also increased the amount of KAT enzymes, the genetically modified mice didn’t have any problems since these enzymes were quickly converted into kyurenic acid where the this conversion is merely the result of a protection mechanism in place.

Ultimately, it was found that this enzyme purges the body of harmful substances in a manner that resembles the liver or the kidney.