Late-life exercise shows rejuvenating effect at the cellular level

"Exercise in later life slows epigenetic aging in skeletal muscle," according to a recent study published in the journal Aging Cell

training camp mice

While there is a wealth of data in the paper, reflecting the use of several analytical tools, the experiments to generate the data are relatively straightforward

When the mice were studied after two months of progressive wheel running, it was determined that their epigenetic age was eight weeks younger than that of sedentary mice of the same age (24 months)

"Exo-theory" may lie in methylation

The science behind the influence of the environment, while complex, depends largely on a biological process known as DNA methylation

DNA methylation, even hypermethylation, at promoter sites of muscle genes tends to increase as the body ages

DNA methylation, aging and exercise

While the paper reinforces the case for exercise, there is still a lot to learn

Exercise reverses methylation to improve muscle health? "This is not the purpose of this study," the authors explain

"If so, what are the consequences?" the authors continued

Original text retrieved: Kevin A.