Natural Protection Against Diabetes Through Exercise
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) have discovered that physical exercise can protect pancreatic β-cells, which produce insulin. This effect occurs through tiny bubbles called extracellular vesicles, or exosomes. The study results were published on the Karolinska Institutet website.
Exosomes are microscopic vesicles released by cells into their surroundings. They are found in blood plasma, urine, saliva, and breast milk. Their main function is to transmit information between cells.
Healthy volunteers participated in the study, performing both continuous aerobic and high-intensity interval training. It was found that both types of exercise activate the “exosomal network” — a signaling system that affects the entire body.
The key component of these vesicles was microRNA-124, which helps cells cope with endoplasmic reticulum stress, protecting β-cells from damage.
Scientists believe that microRNA-124 links physical activity to cell protection in diabetes. In the future, synthetic analogs of microRNA-124 or modified exosomes could be developed to mimic the effects of exercise for patients unable to engage in physical activity.
