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Scientists in the United States have unveiled a potential breakthrough in fitness and health with the development of a new drug dubbed SLU-PP-332, which could mimic the physiological benefits of exercise without requiring any physical activity.

While presenting their findings at the American Chemical Society's 2024 Spring meeting, researchers from Washington University, led by principal investigator Bahaa Elgendy, detailed their innovative approach to harnessing the metabolic pathways typically activated by exercise.

The experimental drug, still in its nascent stages of development, has reportedly shown promising results in early trials conducted on rodents.

Administered daily to mice, SLU-PP-332 demonstrated a remarkable ability to enhance muscle function, improve fitness levels and boost endurance, all without requiring the animals to engage in increased physical activity, Science Alert reported.

Elgendy and his team's achievement is particularly notable as they succeeded in targeting a metabolic pathway previously deemed "undruggable," offering potential therapeutic avenues for a range of challenging diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions and heart failure.

For years, scientists have been working on an "exercise pill" capable of conveying the myriad benefits of physical activity to people unable to engage in regular exercise.

The newly developed drug targets estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), which play a crucial role in regulating various metabolic processes associated with health and well-being.

SLU-PP-332, designed to target multiple ERRs simultaneously, represents a significant advancement in this quest since it demonstrates the ability to enhance muscle endurance, promote fat loss and trigger metabolic changes akin to those observed during endurance training.

While SLU-PP-332 may not serve as a perfect substitute for exercise, its ability to activate molecular pathways associated with exercise offers promising prospects for people facing limitations in physical activity, such as aging populations or those with certain medical conditions.

The potential implications of SLU-PP-332 extend beyond muscle health, with researchers exploring its capacity to enhance brain function and combat age-related cognitive decline.

"Many people cannot exercise, and a pill could be super beneficial to mimic or enhance the effects of exercise for people who are aging, for people with certain diseases, or who are facing some muscle loss using some other drugs," Elgendy reportedly said in a clip from the American Chemical Society meeting.

With the establishment of Pelago Pharmaceuticals, a startup founded by Elgendy and his colleagues, the journey towards clinical translation of SLU-PP-332 and its potential as an "exercise pill" has taken a significant step forward, offering hope for a future where fitness benefits are accessible to everyone.