Scientists find molecule that mimics exercise, slows ageing: Study

Exercise appears to spark a wholebody antiageing cascade and scientists have now mapped out how it happensand how a simple oral compound can mimic itBy following volunteers through rest intense workouts and endurance training researchers found that the kidneys act as the hidden command center flooding the body with a metabolite called betaine that restores balance rejuvenates immune cells and cools inflammationEven more striking giving betaine on its own reproduced many benefits of longterm training from sharper cognition to calmer inflammationA new study in the journal Cell from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University explains how exercise helps the body stay youthfulThe researchers also highlight betaine a metabolite produced in the kidney as an oral compound that can imitate many of the rejuvenating effects normally linked to physical activityBetaine is a small molecule found in foods like beets and spinach but the body also makes it on its own In this study it emerged as an important signal that helps coordinate the antiaging benefits of longterm exerciseHow the Body Responds to ExerciseThe research team followed 13 healthy men over six years to observe how the body reacts to both shortterm and longterm exerciseUsing multiomics tools that track genes proteins metabolites and gut bacteria the scientists compared the body at rest after a single 5 km run and after a 25day running programTheir results showed that the kidney plays a central role in managing the bodys response to exerciseDuring sustained training the kidney produced large increases in betaine which helped send protective antiaging signals throughout the bodySolving the Exercise ParadoxThe study also helps explain the exercise paradox where a single intense workout causes stress but longterm training improves overall healthA short run triggered temporary inflammation and metabolic chaos while regular training restored balance and strengthened the immune systemConsistent exercise improved gut bacteria boosted antioxidant defences and reversed agerelated changes in T cells by stabilising DNA and adjusting epigenetic marks such as reducing ETS1 expressionThe kidney also increased its production of betaine through the activity of the enzyme CHDHRemarkably giving betaine alone created many of the same benefits as training including better metabolism improved cognitive function reduced depressivelike behaviour in older mice and lower inflammation across the bodyHow Betaine Reduces InflammationThe researchers found that betaine binds to and blocks TBK1 a kinase that drives inflammation By suppressing TBK1 and its downstream IRF3NFkB pathways betaine helps silence chronic inflammation also known as inflammagingThis mechanism ties together the exercise paradox shortterm activity triggers survival pathways IL6corticosterone while longterm training activates the kidneybetaineTBK1 system that promotes youthfulness Because betaine is considered safe and effective it may be useful for people who cannot exercise regularly This redefines exercise as medicine says cocorresponding author Dr Liu GuangHuiThis study gives us a fresh way to turn how our body works into something we can target with chemicals It opens the door to geroprotective treatments that can tweak how multiple organs work together added Dr LiuThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever