Long-term voluntary running prevents the onset of symptomatic Friedreich’s ataxia in mice

Henan Zhao, Beven M. Lewellen, Rebecca J. Wilson, Di Cui, Joshua C. Drake, Mei Zhang & Zhen Yan; Sci Rep 10, 6095 (2020). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-62952-6

Importantly, long-term (4 months) voluntary running in KIKO mice starting at a young age (2 months) completely prevented the functional abnormalities along with restored Irp1 expression, improved mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress in skeletal muscle without restoring Fxn expression. We conclude that endurance exercise training prevents symptomatic onset of FRDA in mice associated with improved mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress. These preclinical findings may pave the way for clinical studies of the impact of endurance exercise in FRDA patients.