We can slow down, or even reverse the inexorable process of aging with a simple daily activity: physical exercise. A new research published in Nature Aging shows this clearly. Exercise can reduce a fat molecule, BMP, which accumulates in muscles with age, and appears to be an important signal (and driver) of aging.
But here's the exciting part: Even short bouts of exercise can significantly reduce BMP levels, opening the door to potential anti-aging therapies.
A new way to study aging
Aging research often focuses on factors such as changes in chromosomes, cellular stress, and epigenetics. Lots of hope and lots of progress, but these are processes that are still difficult to "ensnare" with current therapies. What if there was a more easily modifiable molecular cause of aging? Maybe just the BMP.
The researchers used the “lipidomics“, a technology that simultaneously quantifies different fats in the same tissue, to analyze more than 1.200 unique types of lipids in 10 different tissues of young and old mice. The surprising result? BMP increased consistently in aged mice in most tissues analyzed.
Does it happen in humans too? Yes sir.
To find out, the researchers analyzed muscle tissue biopsies from volunteers of different ages. Once again, they found a buildup of BMPs in older tissues.
“The almost ubiquitous accumulation of a lipid in mice, and the same change preserved in human muscle… was surprising,” said Dr. George Janssens, first author of the study.
Exercise: The key to “washing away” BMP
And now we come to the most exciting discovery: it came when researchers examined the effect of exercise on BMP levels. They analyzed the lipid content of people's muscles before and after exercising for an hour a day for four days, comparing it with that of people who remained sedentary.
Surprisingly, even in such a short period of time, BMP levels were significantly reduced in those who exercised compared to those who were sedentary. This suggests that the BMP molecule may be a key factor in the longevity benefits of exercise.
Exercise has not ceased to amaze us
“The idea that we could reverse aging is something that has long been considered science fiction,” said Prof. Riekelt Houtkooper, another senior author of the study. “But these results allow us to understand much more about this process.”
The researchers now plan to conduct further studies. We first need to understand why BMP accumulates, and whether there are methods other than physical exercise to reduce its levels, to be integrated into new "gym drugs“. In the meantime, this study provides one more reason to take a walk or run around the neighborhood with the confidence that it will help us live a little longer.
