New 'Exercise Pill' Could Induce Fitness Benefits Without Exercise

[Mij]

It's back in the news again.

Scientists in the US claim to have boiled down some of the health benefits of exercise into a swallowable pill.

The novel drug is in the very early stages of development, but in initial experiments on rodents, the medicine appears to tap into a natural metabolic pathway usually triggered by exercise.

When administered to mice daily, the drug, called SLU-PP-332, seems to improve muscle function, fitness, and endurance – all without the animals having to move more than they're used to.

Presenting the latest results at the American Chemical Society's 2024 Spring meeting, principal investigator and chemist Bahaa Elgendy from Washington University claims that he and his team have succeeded where others have failed.

https://www.sciencealert.com/new-exercise-pill-could-induce-fitness-benefits-without-exercise

 

[Mij]

A synthetic ERR agonist alleviates metabolic syndrome, 2024

Abstract
Physical exercise induces physiologic adaptations and is effective at reducing the risk of premature death from all causes. Pharmacological exercise mimetics may be effective in the treatment of a range of diseases including obesity and metabolic syndrome. Previously, we described the development of SLU-PP-332, an agonist for the estrogen-related receptor (ERR)α, β, and γ nuclear receptors that activates an acute aerobic exercise program. Here we examine the effects of this exercise mimetic in mouse models of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Diet-induced obese or ob/ob mice were administered SLU-PP-332, and the effects on a range of metabolic parameters were assessed. SLU-PP-332 administration mimics exercise-induced benefits on whole-body metabolism in mice including increased energy expenditure and fatty acid oxidation. These effects were accompanied by decreased fat mass accumulation. Additionally, the ERR agonist effectively reduced obesity and improved insulin sensitivity in models of metabolic syndrome. Pharmacological activation of ERR may be an effective method to treat metabolic syndrome and obesity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: An estrogen receptor-related orphan receptor agonist, SLU-PP-332, with exercise mimetic activity, holds promise as a therapeutic to treat metabolic diseases by decreasing fat mass in mouse models of obesity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37739806/

 

[John Mac]

It would be interesting to know (but risky) if people with ME took this drug would it induce PEM without exercise.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I can see it now -
the Post Exercise-Pill Post-Exertion-Reminiscent Malaise In Non-exerTers trial.

 

[Hubris]

It would be interesting to know (but risky) if people with ME took this drug would it induce PEM without exercise.

I get pem from stimulants (dopaminergics) so the answer is almost certainly yes.

 

[JemPD]

I get pem from stimulants (dopaminergics) so the answer is almost certainly yes.

is it from the drug itself, or the extra activity the stimulant 'cons' you into doing? If its the drug itself & thats common, would that give us insight into mechanisms?

I know all stimulants are risky for me, even caffeine, but thats becauce they prevent symptom contingent pacing & make me feel like i'm better than i am... & thus i do much more than i am really able to (without major payback) which causes huge but unexpected crashes/PEM

 

[Hubris]

is it from the drug itself, or the extra activity the stimulant 'cons' you into doing? If its the drug itself & thats common, would that give us insight into mechanisms?

It's the drug itself. I'm at the point where I'm too sick to do anything, I get pem just from the stimulation.

 

[Mij]

I know all stimulants are risky for me, even caffeine, but thats becauce they prevent symptom contingent pacing & make me feel like i'm better than i am... & thus i do much more than i am really able to (without major payback) which causes huge but unexpected crashes/PEM

Caffeine gives me a short boost but I feel an exhaustion 3 hours later. On days that I drink coffee I'm unable to do my walking routine in the evening