Platelets can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain

Neural stem cells in a mouse hippocampus shown in green (cell bodies shown in blue) give rise to new mature neurons.
Credit: The authors

UQ researchers have discovered that platelets secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons in aged mice in a similar way to physical exercise.

Pre-clinical trials by University of Queensland researchers have found an injection of a specific blood factor can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain.

Dr Odette Leiter and Dr Tara Walker from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute led a team which discovered platelets, the tiny blood cells critical for blood clotting, secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons in aged mice in a similar way to physical exercise.

“We know exercise increases production of new neurons in the hippocampus, the part of the brain important for learning and memory, but the mechanism hasn’t been clear,” Dr Leiter said.

“Our previous research has shown platelets are involved, but this study shows platelets are actually required for this effect in the aged mice.”

The researchers focused on exerkines, the biological compounds released into the bloodstream during exercise, which are believed to stimulate the exercise-induced response in the brain.

“We discovered that the exerkine CXCL4/Platelet factor 4 or PF4, which is released from platelets after exercise, results in regenerative and cognitive improvements when injected into aged mice,” Dr Leiter said.

Dr Walker said the findings have significant implications for the development of drug interventions.

“For a lot of people with health conditions, mobility issues or of advanced age, exercise isn’t possible, so pharmacological intervention is an important area of research,” she said.

“We can now target platelets to promote neurogenesis, enhance cognition and counteract age-related cognitive decline.”

The researchers said the next step is to test the response in Alzheimer diseased mice, before moving towards human trials.

“It’s important to note this is not a replacement for exercise,” Dr Walker said.

“But it could help the very elderly or someone who has had a brain injury or stroke to improve cognition.”

The study is published in Nature Communications.

Media:
QBI Communications, communications@qbi.uq.edu.au, Merrett Pye +61 422 096 049; Elaine Pye +61 415 222 606

Journal: Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39873-9
Method of Research: Experimental study
Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Platelets can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain
Article Publication Date: 16-Aug-2023

Media Contact

Lisa Clarke
University of Queensland
lisajayne.clarke@uq.edu.au
Cell: 0401831188

Media Contact

Lisa Clarke
University of Queensland

All latest news from the category: Life Sciences and Chemistry

Articles and reports from the Life Sciences and chemistry area deal with applied and basic research into modern biology, chemistry and human medicine.

Valuable information can be found on a range of life sciences fields including bacteriology, biochemistry, bionics, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, geobotany, human biology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, zoology, bioinorganic chemistry, microchemistry and environmental chemistry.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Future AR/VR controllers could be the palm of your hand

Carnegie Mellon University’s EgoTouch creates simple interfaces for virtual and augmented reality. The new generation of augmented and virtual reality controllers may not just fit in the palm of your…

‘Game changer’ in lithium extraction

Rice researchers develop novel electrochemical reactor. A team of Rice University researchers led by Lisa Biswal and Haotian Wang has developed an innovative electrochemical reactor to extract lithium from natural…

The blue-green sustainable proteins of seaweed

… may soon be on your plate. The protein in sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a promising complement to both meat and other current alternative protein sources. Seaweed…