Role of nuclear factor κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in exercise-induced antioxidant enzyme adaptation

Activation of nuclear factor (NF) κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in skeletal muscle has been shown to enhance the gene expression of several enzymes that play an important role in maintaining oxidant–antioxidant homeostasis, such as mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). While an acute bout of exercise activates NFκB and MAPK signaling and upregulates MnSOD and iNOS, administration of chemical agents that suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) production can cause attenuation of exercise-induced MnSOD and iNOS expression. Thus, ROS generation during exercise may have duel effects: the infliction of oxidative stress an…