- Researchers report that long periods of inactivity may affect people differently depending on their age.
- They say the effects of a sedentary lifestyle include decreased insulin function, lean muscle and bone mass loss.
- Experts say it's important to understand the biology behind these changes to develop new targeted therapies.
A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston shows that prolonged inactivity may have different effects depending on age.
Trevor Romsdahl, who led the study, presented his work at Discover BMB, the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Dr. Romsdal noted that although the results of this study have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, long-term inactivity can have negative health effects.
These effects include decreased insulin function, lean muscle, bone mass, and muscle strength.
Scientists say they are working to better understand the biology behind these changes and develop targeted therapies to reduce the negative effects of physical inactivity.
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New research focuses on cholesterol esters, a lipid that regulates lipid metabolism, cell function, and overall health. They are composed of cholesterol molecules combined with fatty acids.
These esters store and transport cholesterol throughout the body. If they do not function properly, they can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
“It's important to emphasize the difference between 'cholesterol,' as it's known colloquially and in medicine, and cholesterol esters, which are a separate biochemical entity,” said the study, published by the Manhattan Heart Institute in New York, which was not involved in the study. said Dr. Mary Green, a cardiologist in the department.
“While the unesterified form of 'cholesterol' when present in the blood is biologically active and can be cytotoxic, cholesterol esters are a means of transporting components of cellular repair in the plasma. 'Cholesterol in the blood is bound to lipoproteins, which blocks the cytotoxic effects,' Green explained. Today's medical news.
Experts say early-stage research has yielded important early discoveries and data in the field.
“This is the very beginning of research on this topic,” said Dr. Chen-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the structural heart program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in California. “We don't know the clinical relevance yet. This study uses very sophisticated technology on cholesterol molecules. It's not clear whether we can relate this to our information about cholesterol.”
“Over time, a person's metabolism may be affected, but it is too early to use this information in a clinical setting. We hope this will lead to further research,” the study said. said Chen, who was not involved. Today's medical news. “At this time, recommendations regarding fatty acid intake remain unchanged.”
The researchers used highly specialized chemical equipment to analyze plasma samples obtained from bed rest studies in middle-aged and older adults. They found that cholesterol esters increase in middle age and decrease during bed rest in older adults.
Mr. Green explained why this is true.
“It can be hypothesized that people who experience periods of bed rest due to injury or illness may have concentrations of cholesterol esters in their blood that are necessary for cellular repair and healing,” she says. Ta. “The fact that older adults have lower concentrations of these cholesterol esters while they sleep is not surprising, as it has long been known that healing or 'recovery' becomes more difficult as we age. ”
