Exercise Attenuates Inflammaging And Testosterone Decline In Aged And Morphine-Treated Rats: A Role For NF-Κb Signaling

Aging Pathway
Lever
Regular exercise can reduce age-related inflammation and testosterone decline, even in the presence of morphine, by influencing a specific cellular signaling pathway.
Author

Gemini

Published

November 13, 2025

As we age, male reproductive health can decline, leading to lower sperm quality and reduced testosterone levels. This natural process can be made worse by factors like morphine addiction, which further disrupts hormonal balance and increases harmful inflammation and oxidative stress in the testes.

However, research suggests that regular physical activity might offer a powerful countermeasure. A recent study explored how exercise could help mitigate these issues in aged rats exposed to morphine. The findings indicate that exercise effectively reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, while also boosting testosterone levels.

A key mechanism behind these benefits appears to be the modulation of a cellular pathway known as NF-κB signaling. This pathway plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation and stress responses within cells. By positively influencing NF-κB signaling, exercise helps to counteract the detrimental effects of aging and morphine, ultimately supporting better testicular health and maintaining a healthier hormonal balance.


Source: link to paper