Human plasma extracellular vesicles as an exercise mimetic to preserve skeletal muscle plasticity during disuse
Plasma extracellular vesicles (ExerVs) were isolated from ten trained men and injected into mice during 14-day hindlimb unloading. ExerVs did not preserve muscle mass, fiber size, or protein synthesis during disuse but reduced collagen I and restored Type I fiber cross-sectional area and capillary density during reloading, indicating potential to target fibrosis and microvascular recovery after disuse.
Why it mattersInjecting post-training ExerVs during 14-day hindlimb unloading reduced collagen I, improving capillary recovery after reloading.