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Exercise-induced β-hydroxybutyrate contributes to cognitive improvement in aging mice
Lian Wang1, Liwei Mao1, Danlin Zhu2
1Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
Background:
Aging is a major contributor to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, yet effective interventions to counteract aging-related neuronal dysfunction remain limited. β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), a ketone body elevated during fasting or aerobic exercise, functions as both an energy substrate and a signaling metabolite.
Methods:
We assessed the effects of exercise-induced and exogenously supplemented β-HB on cognitive performance in aging mice. To examine the role of endogenous β-HB metabolism, we used 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1 (BDH1) knockout mice. In vitro, we investigated the impact of G protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) knockdown on β-HB-mediated activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and downstream pathways.
Results:
Exercise elevated circulating β-HB levels and improved cognitive outcomes in aging mice. Exogenous β-HB supplementation mimicked these benefits. Loss of BDH1 impaired endogenous β-HB production and attenuated both exercise- and β-HB-induced cognitive improvements. In vitro, GPR109A knockdown suppressed β-HB-driven activation of PPARγ and downstream neuroprotective pathways linked to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Conclusion:
These findings identify the β-HB/GPR109A-PPARγ axis as a key mediator of exercise-induced cognitive enhancement in aging. β-HB emerges as a potential therapeutic candidate to mitigate brain aging and cognitive decline.
