Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and Maastricht University in the Netherlands analyzed pre- and post-exercise tissues of mice and human subjects and found that as tissues age, a certain type of fat molecule accumulates, but this accumulation can be reversed through exercise. The findings were published in the April 12 issue of the journal Nature Aging.
Scientists are gradually unraveling the various layers of metabolic changes during the aging process, yet much remains unknown. Lipids are a crucial part of people's diets and are vital for cellular function. Specific lipid classes form cell membranes, ensuring separation between the interior and exterior of cells.
To understand changes in lipids during aging, the research team examined 10 different tissue organs, including muscles, kidneys, liver, and heart. They observed that a type of lipid—bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate (BMP)—was elevated in all aged animal tissues, indicating the accumulation of these lipids during aging. Subsequently, they also observed BMP accumulation in muscle biopsies of elderly individuals. However, after these elderly individuals engaged in one hour of exercise daily, BMP levels decreased.
The researchers stated that these results are an important step in understanding the aging process, but they are certainly not the final answer. In future studies, they will delve deeper into understanding how BMP contributes to aging and the effects of BMP accumulation on the aging process.
