Exercise might reverse the signs of aging by expelling fat from muscle tissue, according to researchers who have identified a specific type of fat linked to aging that can be influenced by short-term physical activity.
Understanding the mechanisms behind aging has long been a subject of interest, with studies implicating changes in chromosomes, cellular stress, and epigenetics. Yet, addressing these changes with treatments has proven challenging. However, a recent study published in the journal Nature Aging suggests a potential molecular contributor to aging: a lipid molecule known as bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP). This lipid was consistently found at higher levels in the muscles of older individuals compared to younger ones, and notably, these elevated levels decreased after brief periods of exercise. The researchers also investigated this phenomenon in mice.
Dr. Alexandra Stolzing, a professor of biogerontological engineering at Loughborough University, praised the study’s comprehensive analysis of lipid changes in various tissues in both mice and humans, highlighting the lack of detailed research on fat molecules in aging studies.
The researchers employed lipidomics, a technique enabling the simultaneous quantification of multiple fats within the same tissue, to scrutinize the fats in young and old mice across ten different tissues, identifying over 1,200 distinct lipids. They observed a consistent rise in BMP levels in aging mice across most analyzed tissues.
Further analysis of muscle tissue biopsies from human volunteers of different age groups, ranging from 20 to 30 years old to 65 to 80 years old, revealed the accumulation of BMP in aging tissue. This tissue-wide increase in BMP levels suggests its potential role as a driving force in the aging process, although more research is required to ascertain whether BMP directly contributes to aging or merely escalates as a consequence of it.
The study also explored the impact of exercise on BMP levels. Short bouts of daily exercise have been linked to a reduced risk of premature death and improvements in longevity, partly attributed to alterations in lipid metabolism. In a subsequent phase of their investigation, researchers analyzed lipid content in the muscles of individuals before and after engaging in one hour of daily exercise for four days, comparing these results with those of sedentary individuals. Surprisingly, even within this brief timeframe, BMP levels significantly declined in those who exercised compared to those who remained inactive, suggesting that this lipid could play a crucial role in the longevity benefits of exercise.
Adiv Johnson, director of research and innovation at Tally Health, noted the intriguing discovery of BMP’s age-related increase in both mice and humans, emphasizing the potential of exercise as a potent anti-aging intervention. Senior study author Riekelt Houtkooper, a professor of genetic metabolic diseases at Amsterdam UMC, remarked on the groundbreaking nature of the findings, suggesting a deeper understanding of the aging process.
The researchers intend to conduct further investigations to elucidate why BMP accumulates and explore alternative methods besides exercise to deplete BMP. In the interim, the study offers insight into why physical activity, even in short durations, might contribute to extended lifespan. For individuals unable to engage in physical exercise, promising solutions may emerge, as researchers explore drugs that mimic the beneficial effects of physical activity.
