Exercise and Hormone Circulation: A New Biological Mechanism
Tiny blood particles, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), play a crucial role in hormone circulation, according to a study by researchers at Touro University Nevada. The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveal a new biological mechanism where physical exercise stimulates the interaction between EVs and a hormone precursor called proopiomelanocortin (POMC).
Exercise and Hormone Circulation
The study found that vigorous exercise increases the number of POMC molecules that bind to EVs, allowing them to cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. This discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding how exercise affects energy balance, mental health, and immune function, as well as the circulation of certain drugs.
The Role of EVs
EVs are tiny particles that exist outside of cells and play a key role in cell-to-cell communication. They transmit signals by delivering biological cargo such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids into cells, and they also remove cell waste. While scientists have known that EVs are involved in various biological processes, including the immune response and cancer progression, this study sheds light on their interaction with hormones.
The Study's Findings
The researchers focused on POMC, a hormone precursor that transforms into endorphins (responsible for the runner's high) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which manages the body's stress response. They found that vigorous exercise causes four times more POMC to bind to EVs, making them temporary hormone transport shuttles in the bloodstream.
Potential Implications
The study's findings have wide-ranging implications for pain management, metabolism, obesity, inflammation, and the stress response. The observation that EVs can carry POMC may lead to new treatments and interventions for various health conditions. However, more research is needed to understand the full impact of exercise-induced POMC on the brain.
Source
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and can be found at the following link: [Insert link to the study].
