Anti-aging!

In the next 30 years, the proportion of the global population over 60 years old will double, and by 2031, more than 6 million Australians will be over 65 years old

With age, one of the main reasons for the increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes is the development of insulin resistance, that is, the decline of the body's ability to respond to insulin, and this is usually due to the decrease in physical activity with age

However, the exact mechanism by which lack of exercise promotes the development of insulin resistance remains a mystery

Now, researchers at Monash University in Australia have discovered that physical exercise actually improves the ability to respond to insulin, thereby promoting healthy metabolism

A team of scientists from the Monash University Biomedical Discovery Institute (BDI) led by Professor Tony Tiganis found that the reduction in the production of skeletal muscle reactive oxygen species (ROS) during aging is an important factor in the formation of insulin resistance

He said: "Exercise-induced ROS drives the adaptive response, which is indispensable for the health-promoting effect of exercise

In a paper published today (December 15, 2021) in the journal Science Advances, the research team showed how an enzyme called NOX-4 can act on exercise-induced ROS and drive The adaptive response to metabolic health is essential

In mouse experiments, the researchers found that NOX4 in the skeletal muscle increases after exercise, which in turn leads to an increase in ROS, which triggers an adaptive response and protects mice from the development of insulin resistance, which is induced by aging or diet Of obesity

Importantly, scientists have shown that NOX4 levels in skeletal muscle are directly related to age-related decline in insulin sensitivity

He said: "Through drugs to trigger the activation of the adaptive mechanism coordinated by NOX4, it may improve key aspects of aging, including the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

"One of the compounds is naturally occurring, for example, in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower, although the amount required for anti-aging may be more than many people are willing to consume

Reference: "Skeletal muscle NOX4 is required for adaptive responses that prevent insulin resistance" 15 December 2021, Science Advances .