AGI – Chronic inflammation that causes tissue wasting can be almost completely prevented by physical activity. This is what emerges from a study, published in the journal Science Advances, conducted by Duke University experts, who examined the effect of exercise on human muscles grown in the laboratory.
“Inflammation occurs when the immune system reacts to the presence of bacteria or if there is tissue damage – explains Nenad Bursac of Duke University – sometimes an overreaction can result in an attack on healthy cells. Some diseases, such as sarcopenia or arthritis, can cause chronic inflammation that causes muscle atrophy ”.
The team developed a platform that could facilitate the growth of cultured muscle cells, where skeletal muscle was grown in a petri dish, to which immune and stem cells were then added. “Interferon gamma, a molecule produced by B and T lymphocytes – continues the expert – is believed to be responsible for various types of muscle atrophy and dysfunction. During physical exercise different processes take place and it is difficult to establish which systems and cells are responsible for the individual processes ”.
The author points out that his team’s engineered muscle platform is modular, so it is possible to match, combine and observe various cell types. The scientists added high levels of interferon gamma for seven days in order to mimic the effects of long-lasting chronic inflammation, which led to a reduction and loss of muscle strength. The experiment was repeated following an exercise regimen simulated by electric shocks.
“We found that muscle cells can take anti-inflammatory actions – continues Zhaowei Chen, biomedical engineer at Duke University – exercise almost completely prevented the effects of inflammation. Our work suggests that interferon gamma acts primarily through a specific signaling pathway and that exercise in muscle cells can directly counteract this pro-inflammatory signal regardless of the presence of other types of cells or tissues. “
“Our research – concludes Bursac – shows how precious muscle organoids can be for discovering new disease mechanisms and potential treatments and confirms the importance of physical exercise”.
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