New pill could offer same benefits as going to the gym

By Isobel Williams via SWNS

A new pill could offer the same benefits as a workout at the gym, research has revealed.

Scientists have discovered new compounds that appear capable of mimicking the physical boost of working out.

And as well as making us feel younger the pill could also stave off cognitive decline and shows benefits against obesity, heart failure and a decline in kidney function with age.

The researchers from Washington University set out to replicate exercise’s ability to enhance muscle cells’ metabolism, performance, and growth.

They hope to create a drug which can mimic these effects, as this could offset the muscle atrophy and weakness that can occur as people age or are affected by cancer, genetic conditions or other conditions that cause physical inactivity.

It could also potentially counter the effects of other drugs, such as new weight-loss medications that cause the loss of both fat and muscle.

Their study will be presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

In their research the team developed a compound named SLU-PP-332 which activates all three forms of specialized proteins, known as estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), that are set off by exercise.

In experiments with mice the team found that this new compound increased a fatigue-resistant type of muscle fiber while also improving the animals’ endurance when they ran on a rodent treadmill.

Then, to improve upon their discovery and develop variations that could be patented, they designed new molecules to strengthen the interaction with the receptors and provoke a stronger response than what SLU-PP-332 can provide.

The team compared the potency of SLU-PP-332 with that of the new compounds by looking at RNA, a measure of gene expression, from about 15,000 genes in cells from rat heart muscle.

The new compounds prompted a greater increase in the presence of the RNA, suggesting they more potently simulate the effects of exercise.

Studies in animals with this preliminary compound indicate that it could have a benefit against obesity, heart failure or a decline in kidney function with age.

The results in the updated research suggest the new compounds could have similar effects.

The new compounds also appear to counter damaging processes that occur in the brain in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and those who have other neurodegenerative conditions.

Associate professor Bahaa Elgendy from the Washington University School of Medicine said: “We cannot replace exercise; exercise is important on all levels.

"If I can exercise, I should go ahead and get the physical activity. But there are so many cases in which a substitute is needed.

“In all of these conditions, ERRs play a major role. If you have a compound that can activate them effectively, you could generate so many beneficial effects.”

In the future the team hope to test the new compounds in animal models and look into the possibility of developing the compounds as potential treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.