Is exercise a senolytic medicine? A systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Cellular Biology
• Exercise Science and Medicine

Background:

• Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest where senescent cells accumulate in tissues, contributing to aging and disease.
• Senolytics, drugs that eliminate senescent cells, are a rapidly developing area of medicine.
• Exercise is recognized for its anti-aging and anti-chronic disease benefits, with evidence suggesting it can lower markers of cellular senescence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on the senolytic effects of exercise or physical activity on senescent cells.
• To investigate the impact of exercise on senescent cells in both human and animal models across various health states.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published literature.
• Analysis of studies involving human and animal models examining exercise's effects on senescent cell markers.

Main Results:

• Exercise demonstrated a capacity to reduce senescent cell markers in healthy humans.
• In animal models, exercise lowered senescent cell markers in obese subjects but not in healthy ones.
• Discrepancies may stem from limited research, varied senescence markers, and differing experimental conditions.

Conclusions:

• Exercise exhibits potential senolytic properties under specific conditions.
• Further investigation is warranted to fully elucidate the senolytic capacity of exercise and its therapeutic applications for aging and disease.