Stop ageing. Run a marathon!

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Researchers in Italy have found that running a marathon stops the cellular processes which lead to cell death ((Gabriella Marfe et al., “The effect of marathon on mRNA expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins and sirtuins family in male recreational long-distance runners,” BMC Physiology 10, no. 1 (2010): 7.)).

MONDAY, 17 MAY 2010

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death and is a closely regulated function acting to renew cells in our bodies. Pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins are both continuously expressed and only the balance between the two decides whether apoptosis happens or not. In this study, researchers from the University of Rome collected blood samples from ten amateur runners directly after they had run a marathon. They analysed the RNA expression profiles of certain proteins and found an increase in several of the anti-apoptotic proteins and a decrease in several pro-apoptotic proteins.

These results show that the work load of a marathon significantly influences the regulation of apoptosis. It might also support scientific evidence for the positive effect effects of exercise on lifespan however, it is not known if this effect extends to marathon training as well.

Written by Sara Dietz

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