BUFFALO, NY — November 11, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 10 of Aging-US on October 1, 2025, titled “L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) in combination with voluntary wheel running exercise enhances musculoskeletal properties in middle-age male mice.”
In this study led by first author Julian A. Vallejo and corresponding author Michael J. Wacker from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, researchers investigated how L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA), a natural compound released during exercise, works together with regular physical activity to improve muscle and bone health in middle-aged male mice. The findings may support new strategies to maintain musculoskeletal health in aging populations, especially those at risk for mobility loss or osteoporosis.
Muscle and bone strength naturally decline with age, increasing the risk of falls, fractures, and reduced quality of life. While exercise remains the most effective way to counteract this deterioration, it is often difficult for older individuals to maintain sufficient activity levels to see results. L-BAIBA, a molecule naturally produced during physical activity, is known to promote energy metabolism and support muscle and bone cells. This study explored its potential to work in synergy with endurance exercise to maximize health benefits in aging bodies.
Researchers studied 12-month-old male mice that were split into different groups. Some remained sedentary, while others exercised freely on running wheels. Half of each group received daily L-BAIBA supplementation. After three months, the mice that received both the supplement and exercise showed greater improvements than those receiving either one alone. The soleus, a slow-twitch muscle essential for endurance and balance, grew larger and stronger only in the combined treatment group. These muscles also shifted to a more fatigue-resistant fiber type and had a larger number of oxidative fibers.
“To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected 12-month-old (as a model of middle-age) male C57BL6 mice to voluntary wheel running (VWR) with L-BAIBA (100mg/kg/day) (VWR+L-BAIBA), VWR alone, L-BAIBA alone, or none (CTRL) for three months.”
The study also showed significant improvements in bone health. Mice that received both exercise and L-BAIBA developed thicker and denser trabecular bone, along with reduced fat levels in the bone marrow, indicators of stronger, healthier bones. These changes were not observed in the groups that only exercised or only received L-BAIBA. Although the compound caused minor changes in heart electrical activity, it did not affect heart size or overall function, suggesting it is safe in this setting.
These findings suggest that L-BAIBA may enhance the benefits of physical activity by supporting muscle strength and bone structure, particularly in slow-twitch muscle fibers. This combination could serve as a therapeutic strategy to help older adults, including those unable to engage in regular exercise, maintain musculoskeletal health.
As the aging population grows, there is a growing need for solutions that support muscle and bone health without requiring strenuous activity. This research highlights the potential of natural, exercise-related molecules like L-BAIBA to help maintain mobility and strength throughout aging.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206325
Corresponding author - Michael J. Wacker — wackerm@umkc.edu
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-zfrLUikfQ
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BUFFALO, NY — November 11, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 10 of Aging-US on October 1, 2025, titled “L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) in combination with voluntary wheel running exercise enhances musculoskeletal properties in middle-age male mice.”
In this study led by first author Julian A. Vallejo and corresponding author Michael J. Wacker from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, researchers investigated how L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA), a natural compound released during exercise, works together with regular physical activity to improve muscle and bone health in middle-aged male mice. The findings may support new strategies to maintain musculoskeletal health in aging populations, especially those at risk for mobility loss or osteoporosis.
Muscle and bone strength naturally decline with age, increasing the risk of falls, fractures, and reduced quality of life. While exercise remains the most effective way to counteract this deterioration, it is often difficult for older individuals to maintain sufficient activity levels to see results. L-BAIBA, a molecule naturally produced during physical activity, is known to promote energy metabolism and support muscle and bone cells. This study explored its potential to work in synergy with endurance exercise to maximize health benefits in aging bodies.
Researchers studied 12-month-old male mice that were split into different groups. Some remained sedentary, while others exercised freely on running wheels. Half of each group received daily L-BAIBA supplementation. After three months, the mice that received both the supplement and exercise showed greater improvements than those receiving either one alone. The soleus, a slow-twitch muscle essential for endurance and balance, grew larger and stronger only in the combined treatment group. These muscles also shifted to a more fatigue-resistant fiber type and had a larger number of oxidative fibers.
“To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected 12-month-old (as a model of middle-age) male C57BL6 mice to voluntary wheel running (VWR) with L-BAIBA (100mg/kg/day) (VWR+L-BAIBA), VWR alone, L-BAIBA alone, or none (CTRL) for three months.”
The study also showed significant improvements in bone health. Mice that received both exercise and L-BAIBA developed thicker and denser trabecular bone, along with reduced fat levels in the bone marrow, indicators of stronger, healthier bones. These changes were not observed in the groups that only exercised or only received L-BAIBA. Although the compound caused minor changes in heart electrical activity, it did not affect heart size or overall function, suggesting it is safe in this setting.
These findings suggest that L-BAIBA may enhance the benefits of physical activity by supporting muscle strength and bone structure, particularly in slow-twitch muscle fibers. This combination could serve as a therapeutic strategy to help older adults, including those unable to engage in regular exercise, maintain musculoskeletal health.
As the aging population grows, there is a growing need for solutions that support muscle and bone health without requiring strenuous activity. This research highlights the potential of natural, exercise-related molecules like L-BAIBA to help maintain mobility and strength throughout aging.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206325
Corresponding author - Michael J. Wacker — wackerm@umkc.edu
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-zfrLUikfQ
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Lifelong Companionship Protects Aging Rat Brains from Cognitive Decline
Aging-US
3 minutes 32 seconds
1 month ago
Lifelong Companionship Protects Aging Rat Brains from Cognitive Decline
BUFFALO, NY — October 9, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 9 of Aging-US on August 22, 2025, titled, “The impact of long-term social housing on biconditional association task performance and neuron ensembles in the anterior cingulate cortex and the hippocampal CA3 region of aged rats.”
The research team led by Anne M. Dankert from Providence College and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, showed that aged rats who lived in socially enriched environments throughout life retained better memory and cognitive flexibility than those housed alone. This study highlights the importance of social interaction in protecting the aging brain.
Cognitive decline, such as memory loss and reduced problem-solving ability, affects many people over the age of 65. While many factors contribute to age-related cognitive decline, this study suggests that one key factor may be surprisingly simple: long-term social connection. To explore how social interaction might influence memory performance and brain activity, the researchers designed a study using rats as a model for aging in humans.
“Cognitive decline and changes in neuronal activity are hallmarks of aging.”
They compared three groups of rats: young adults, aged rats housed alone, and aged rats housed socially in groups. All groups had access to the same physical enrichment, such as exercise and stimulating objects, but only some experienced lifelong social companionship. The team tested these animals on a complex memory challenge known as the biconditional association task, which requires animals to make context-based decisions—an ability that typically declines with age.
The results showed that aged rats living in social groups performed just as well as young adults on the memory task, while those housed alone showed significant impairments. Socially housed rats also made fewer working memory errors and required less effort to complete cognitive tasks, suggesting not only better performance but more efficient brain function. These benefits were not observed in aged rats who received only environmental enrichment without social interaction.
Brain imaging revealed additional differences between the groups. Socially housed aged rats showed increased activity in the hippocampus, particularly in the CA3 region, which plays a key role in forming and separating memories. In contrast, aged rats that lived alone had lower activity in this region, which may explain their poorer performance. Interestingly, socially housed rats also showed reduced overactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex—a brain area involved in attention and decision-making—suggesting a more balanced and efficient neural response.
This research provides new insight into how lifelong social experiences shape brain health during aging. While earlier studies have shown that physical activity and cognitive stimulation help preserve cognitive function, this study identifies social interaction as an independent and powerful protective factor. The findings are consistent with human studies showing that older adults who remain socially active tend to experience slower cognitive decline and stronger brain function.
Overall, these results emphasize that brain aging is not inevitable but may be influenced by our social environments. This research suggests that fostering lifelong social connections could be a critical, low-cost strategy to protect memory and mental flexibility in older adults.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206310
Corresponding author - Anne M. Dankert - adankert@unc.edu
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poNnPz1ti6Q
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Aging-US
BUFFALO, NY — November 11, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 10 of Aging-US on October 1, 2025, titled “L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) in combination with voluntary wheel running exercise enhances musculoskeletal properties in middle-age male mice.”
In this study led by first author Julian A. Vallejo and corresponding author Michael J. Wacker from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, researchers investigated how L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA), a natural compound released during exercise, works together with regular physical activity to improve muscle and bone health in middle-aged male mice. The findings may support new strategies to maintain musculoskeletal health in aging populations, especially those at risk for mobility loss or osteoporosis.
Muscle and bone strength naturally decline with age, increasing the risk of falls, fractures, and reduced quality of life. While exercise remains the most effective way to counteract this deterioration, it is often difficult for older individuals to maintain sufficient activity levels to see results. L-BAIBA, a molecule naturally produced during physical activity, is known to promote energy metabolism and support muscle and bone cells. This study explored its potential to work in synergy with endurance exercise to maximize health benefits in aging bodies.
Researchers studied 12-month-old male mice that were split into different groups. Some remained sedentary, while others exercised freely on running wheels. Half of each group received daily L-BAIBA supplementation. After three months, the mice that received both the supplement and exercise showed greater improvements than those receiving either one alone. The soleus, a slow-twitch muscle essential for endurance and balance, grew larger and stronger only in the combined treatment group. These muscles also shifted to a more fatigue-resistant fiber type and had a larger number of oxidative fibers.
“To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected 12-month-old (as a model of middle-age) male C57BL6 mice to voluntary wheel running (VWR) with L-BAIBA (100mg/kg/day) (VWR+L-BAIBA), VWR alone, L-BAIBA alone, or none (CTRL) for three months.”
The study also showed significant improvements in bone health. Mice that received both exercise and L-BAIBA developed thicker and denser trabecular bone, along with reduced fat levels in the bone marrow, indicators of stronger, healthier bones. These changes were not observed in the groups that only exercised or only received L-BAIBA. Although the compound caused minor changes in heart electrical activity, it did not affect heart size or overall function, suggesting it is safe in this setting.
These findings suggest that L-BAIBA may enhance the benefits of physical activity by supporting muscle strength and bone structure, particularly in slow-twitch muscle fibers. This combination could serve as a therapeutic strategy to help older adults, including those unable to engage in regular exercise, maintain musculoskeletal health.
As the aging population grows, there is a growing need for solutions that support muscle and bone health without requiring strenuous activity. This research highlights the potential of natural, exercise-related molecules like L-BAIBA to help maintain mobility and strength throughout aging.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206325
Corresponding author - Michael J. Wacker — wackerm@umkc.edu
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-zfrLUikfQ
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