ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Molecular Mechanisms Linked to Exercise

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 8425

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Radom University, Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland
Interests: medical sciences; exercise; hormone regulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical exercise induces changes at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. These adaptations are governed by precisely regulated signaling cascades that control gene and protein expression, as well as metabolic reprogramming, across distinct organ systems, including skeletal muscle, cardiovascular tissues, the nervous system, and endocrine glands.

This Special Issue aims at highlighting recent developments in the molecular mechanisms triggered by physical exercise. We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews that examine molecular adaptations related to exercise. Specifically, investigations that delve into the interactions among ion channels, kinases, and exercise-induced metabolic reconfiguration are particularly welcome.

Manuscripts that address translational aspects—such as the protective effects of exercise against metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular impairments—are also highly encouraged. We also invite contributions to innovative technologies that aim at elucidating molecular adaptations to exercise, including omics-based methodologies, biosensors, and real-time imaging modalities.

We hope that this compilation will serve as a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms by which exercise promotes health and mitigates disease.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions, which will advance our understanding of the profound impact of exercise on health and disease prevention.

Prof. Dr. Igor Zubrzycki
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • molecular mechanisms
  • exercise adaptations
  • translational health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

38 pages, 1815 KB  
Review
Anabolic–Androgenic Steroids Revisited: Structural Biology, Receptor Signaling, and Mechanisms of Anabolic–Androgenic Dissociation
by Magdalena Wiacek and Igor Z. Zubrzycki
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2581; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062581 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 7873
Abstract
Steroid hormones exert diverse and tissue-specific biological effects despite sharing a conserved tetracyclic scaffold. Among these, anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) present a longstanding paradox: structurally related compounds can elicit markedly different anabolic, androgenic, and cardiovascular outcomes. This narrative review integrates advances in steroid structural [...] Read more.
Steroid hormones exert diverse and tissue-specific biological effects despite sharing a conserved tetracyclic scaffold. Among these, anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) present a longstanding paradox: structurally related compounds can elicit markedly different anabolic, androgenic, and cardiovascular outcomes. This narrative review integrates advances in steroid structural chemistry, androgen receptor (AR) biology, and intracellular signaling to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying anabolic–androgenic dissociation. We summarize classical genomic and emerging non-genomic modes of steroid action, emphasizing how receptor conformation, ligand-binding domain architecture, co-regulator recruitment, and signaling bias shape downstream biological responses. Particular focus is placed on the structure–activity relationships of endogenous and synthetic androgens, with C17-substitution chemistry highlighted as a central determinant of receptor affinity, metabolic stability, pharmacokinetics, and tissue selectivity. By linking molecular structure to receptor-level mechanisms, we contextualize the physiological and pathophysiological effects of major AAS classes used clinically and non-medically, including testosterone esters, 19-nor derivatives, 17α-alkylated steroids, heterocyclic compounds, and halogenated compounds. While much of the mechanistic evidence derives from preclinical models, the integrated framework presented here provides a coherent basis for interpreting divergent anabolic, androgenic, and cardiovascular effects observed in humans. Collectively, this review bridges fundamental steroid biology with applied physiology and sports medicine, offering mechanistic insight relevant to therapeutic development, anti-doping science, and risk assessment of supraphysiological androgen exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Linked to Exercise)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop