Scientists have scientifically substantiated the use of physical exercises to strengthen the muscles
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Researchers from the University of Illinois (University of Illinois) have scientifically substantiated the use of physical exercises for muscle strengthening . They found out what role stem cells play in building muscle mass.
It's about the so-called mesenchymal stem cells. These are cells that are in the muscles, but do not directly relate to muscle tissue and do not generate new muscle fibers. Nevertheless, scientists have shown, their role is great. The authors of the article published an article with results in public access in the magazine PLoS ONE, and its summary can be found on the news site of the University of Illinois.
Intensive physical exercises cause stretching and microdamaging of contractile muscle fibers. As a result, new muscle fibers are formed, and the muscles strengthen and increase in volume. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are very sensitive to such microdamages and accumulate at the site of the working muscle, Professor Marni Boppart and his colleagues showed.
"We decided to check whether the accumulation of MSCs in places of muscle micro-damages serves as a stimulus for their regeneration and growth after physical exertion," says Boppart.
The scientists worked on mice. They forced laboratory rodents to run intensively along the moving track, and then isolated MSC from the muscle and placed in the cell culture. It turned out that cells from the trained muscle intensively synthesize proteins - growth factors. These proteins induce other cells of muscle tissue (cells-microsatellites), merge together and form new muscle fibers. The biologists knew about the role of microsatellite cells for a long time, but the fact that they are stimulated by mesenchymal stem cells was discovered for the first time. How exactly MSC coordinate this process, it was possible to see due to the fact that the cells were marked with a fluorescent label and injected back into the muscles.
MSC, scientists believe, is the link between physical training and muscle building. "We saw that stem cells in the muscles of an adult person are the basis for maintaining muscle health through training," Boppart explains.
Scientists hope that this source can be used for the benefit of mankind. For example, to develop on its basis a means to prevent the loss of muscle mass with age. Or help patients suffering from muscle degeneration.
"Although exercise, of course, is the best way to keep muscles toned, even as you age, not all people can be physically active," the authors emphasize. - Very limited opportunities for muscular growth in people with disabilities. We hope to understand how the stem cells could be used to protect the muscles from atrophy. "
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