Effect of exercise and grape juice on epigenetic modulation and functional outcomes in PD: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of an aquatic physical training program associated with grape juice (Vitis labrusca) consumption on functional outcomes, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and global histone H4 acetylation levels in peripheral blood from individuals with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Nineteen participants were randomized to Aquatic Exercise (AQ, n= 9) and Aquatic Exercise + Grape Juice (AQ+GJ, n = 10) groups and performed to 4 weeks of an aquatic intervention (twice a week, approximately 60 min/session). The AQ+GJ groups also consumed 400 mL of grape juice per day during this period. Functional capacity (six-min walk test, 6MWT), mobility (The Timed Up and Go, TUG) and the risk of falls (Berg Balance Scale, BBS) were evaluated before and after intervention. In addition, blood collections were carried out for biomarker analysis (e.g. BDNF and global histone H4). Results: The aquatic exercise program induced functional improvement in individuals with Parkinson's disease, specifically ameliorating their mobility and functional capacity. In addition, enhanced levels of BDNF and histone H4 acetylation were found after the intervention. Grape juice consumption did not potentiate these effects, since any significant differences between the AQ and AQ+GJ groups were not found in all analysed variables. Conclusions: The present study provides important insights about aquatic exercise-modulated BDNF levels in individuals with Parkinson's disease in combination with functional improvements, suggesting that histone acetylation status may interact to dictate the molecular mechanisms involved in this response. Parkinson disease, aquatic exercise, BDNF, epigenetic, grape juice.