Heat Shock Proteins, Exercise and Inflammation

Abstract

The heat shock response (HSR) plays a regulatory role in controlling inflammatory events within a cell. The activation/induction and interplay of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and heat shock proteins (HSP) have inhibitory effect on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF$κ$B) inflammatory pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) regulation, and preventing free radical damage. Exercise training induces the HSR and has the potential to reduce inflammation. The current chapter examines the regulatory impacts of the HSR on inflammation and the role of the HSR in chronic inflammatory disease states, such as skeletal muscle insulin resistance and ischemia/reperfusion injury of the myocardium. In addition, we discuss the inflammatory role of exercise training in activating the HSR, improving insulin signaling, reducing vasculature inflammation, and promoting cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury of the myocardium.