Regular aerobic exercise in later life has been found to prevent genomic instability characterized by DNA damage and telomere dysfunction, according to a study conducted by the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah. The research, which will be presented at the American Physiology Summit in Long Beach, California, sheds light on the potential benefits of exercise on vascular health and genomic stability.
Contrary to previous beliefs that late-life exercise is ineffective, recent studies have indicated that aerobic exercise in later years can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease-related mortality. However, the specific mechanisms behind this effect have not been fully understood. The study aimed to investigate whether regular exercise in aging individuals could prevent DNA damage and telomere dysfunction, with a particular focus on endothelial cells that come into direct contact with blood flow.
The study involved 15 male mice that were given access to a voluntary running wheel for a period of four months. The mice were categorized into high-, moderate-, and low-running groups based on their consistent running distances. Aortic tissues exposed to different blood flow patterns were collected to evaluate DNA damage and telomere function. The results indicated that increased levels of exercise in later life had a positive impact on DNA damage and telomere dysfunction.
Researchers emphasized that DNA damage is a significant contributing factor to arterial aging, and the study’s findings could pave the way for future interventions to improve human health. Jisok Lim, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Utah and lead author of the study, highlighted the potential of the research to provide a detailed and customized approach to interventions for cardiovascular health by understanding the responses of aortic regions and cell types to aerobic exercise.
The American Physiology Summit, scheduled for April 4–7, 2024, in Long Beach, California, will feature the presentation of this study. For further information or to request the full abstract, titled “Late-life aerobic exercise reverses DNA and telomere dysfunction in non-atheroprone aortic regions with advanced age” (#2094), journalists can contact APS for interviews with the researchers, conference organizers, or presenters.
