An article in the March 7, 2012 edition of Cell Metabolism journal supports the benefits of exercise and raises an intriguing possibility: that combining exercise with drug treatment may produce enhanced effects in people with CMT.

The Science

The study centers on DNA methylation, a process in which methyl group molecules attach to DNA and affect how genes are expressed. When methyl group levels are too high, certain proteins called transcription factors are partially blocked from interacting with DNA. That interaction would normally allow genes to switch on in ways that help muscles adapt to exercise and physical activity. Excess methyl groups interfere with that process.

The research showed that exercise appears to reduce the presence of these methyl group molecules. That finding matters for CMT because it suggests a possible mechanism: if exercise lowers methyl group levels, it could create conditions in which neurotropic drugs (medications that support nerve function) become more effective. The effect of combining exercise with drug treatment may exceed what either approach achieves on its own.

This remains a theoretical connection at this stage, and further research is needed to confirm whether these findings apply specifically to CMT. HNF will continue to track developments in this area.

For this article, HNF thanks Dr. Robert Chetlin, PhD, CSCS, CHFS, at the West Virginia School of Medicine, for his expert consultation.