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1.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(14)2024 Jul 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39063027

ABSTRACT

Imiqualines are analogues of the immunomodulatory drug imiquimod. EAPB02303, the lead of the second-generation imiqualines, is characterized by significant anti-tumor effects with IC50s in the nanomolar range. We used Caenorhabditis elegans transgenic and mutant strains of two key signaling pathways (PI3K-Akt and Ras-MAPK) disrupted in human cancers to investigate the mode of action of EAPB02303. The ability of this imiqualine to inhibit the insulin/IGF1 signaling (IIS) pathway via the PI3K-Akt kinase cascade was explored through assessing the lifespan of wild-type worms. Micromolar doses of EAPB02303 significantly enhanced longevity of N2 strain and led to the nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of transcription factor DAF-16, the only forkhead box transcription factor class O (Fox O) homolog in C. elegans. Moreover, EAPB02303 significantly reduced the multivulva phenotype in let-60/Ras mutant strains MT2124 and MT4698, indicative of its mode of action through the Ras pathway. In summary, we showed that EAPB02303 potently reduced the activity of IIS and Ras-MAPK signaling in C. elegans. Our results revealed the mechanism of action of EAPB02303 against human cancers associated with hyperactivated IIS pathway and oncogenic Ras mutations.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Quinoxalines , Signal Transduction , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Animals , Quinoxalines/pharmacology , Quinoxalines/chemistry , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics , Longevity/drug effects , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Humans , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Imidazoles/chemistry , Animals, Genetically Modified
2.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(14)2024 Jul 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39063206

ABSTRACT

Today, plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to the environment and public health. In the tissues of exposed species, micro- and nano-fragments accumulate, leading to genotoxicity, altered metabolism, and decreased lifespan. A model to investigate the genotoxic and tumor-promoting potential of nanoplastics (NPs) is Drosophila melanogaster. Here we tested polystyrene, which is commonly used in food packaging, is not well recycled, and makes up at least 30% of landfills. In order to investigate the biological effects and carcinogenic potential of 100 µm polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), we raised Oregon [R] wild-type flies on contaminated food. After prolonged exposure, fluorescent PSNPs accumulated in the gut and fat bodies. Furthermore, PSNP-fed flies showed considerable alterations in weight, developmental time, and lifespan, as well as a compromised ability to recover from starvation. Additionally, we noticed a decrease in motor activity in DNAlig4 mutants fed with PSNPs, which are known to be susceptible to dietary stressors. A qPCR molecular investigation of the larval intestines revealed a markedly elevated expression of the genes drice and p53, suggesting a response to cell damage. Lastly, we used warts-defective mutants to assess the carcinogenic potential of PSNPs and discovered that exposed flies had more aberrant masses than untreated ones. In summary, our findings support the notion that ingested nanopolystyrene triggers metabolic and genetic modifications in the exposed organisms, eventually delaying development and accelerating death and disease.


Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster , Nanoparticles , Polystyrenes , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster/drug effects , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Polystyrenes/toxicity , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Carcinogens/toxicity , Larva/drug effects , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Longevity/drug effects , Fat Body/metabolism , Fat Body/drug effects
3.
Cells ; 13(13)2024 Jun 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38994975

ABSTRACT

Mating in female Drosophila melanogaster causes midgut hypertrophy and reduced lifespan, and these effects are blocked by the drug mifepristone. Eip75B is a transcription factor previously reported to have pleiotropic effects on Drosophila lifespan. Because Eip75B null mutations are lethal, conditional systems and/or partial knock-down are needed to study Eip75B effects in adults. Previous studies showed that Eip75B is required for adult midgut cell proliferation in response to mating. To test the possible role of Eip75B in mediating the lifespan effects of mating and mifepristone, a tripartite FLP-recombinase-based conditional system was employed that provides controls for genetic background. Expression of a Hsp70-FLP transgene was induced in third instar larvae by a brief heat pulse. The FLP recombinase catalyzed the recombination and activation of an Actin5C-GAL4 transgene. The GAL4 transcription factor in turn activated expression of a UAS-Eip75B-RNAi transgene. Inhibition of Eip75B activity was confirmed by loss of midgut hypertrophy upon mating, and the lifespan effects of both mating and mifepristone were eliminated. In addition, the negative effects of mifepristone on egg production were eliminated. The data indicate that Eip75B mediates the effects of mating and mifepristone on female midgut hypertrophy, egg production, and lifespan.


Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins , Drosophila melanogaster , Longevity , Mifepristone , Transcription Factors , Animals , Mifepristone/pharmacology , Female , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila melanogaster/drug effects , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Drosophila melanogaster/physiology , Longevity/drug effects , Longevity/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Male , Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects
5.
Genome Med ; 16(1): 85, 2024 07 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38956711

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Restraining or slowing ageing hallmarks at the cellular level have been proposed as a route to increased organismal lifespan and healthspan. Consequently, there is great interest in anti-ageing drug discovery. However, this currently requires laborious and lengthy longevity analysis. Here, we present a novel screening readout for the expedited discovery of compounds that restrain ageing of cell populations in vitro and enable extension of in vivo lifespan. METHODS: Using Illumina methylation arrays, we monitored DNA methylation changes accompanying long-term passaging of adult primary human cells in culture. This enabled us to develop, test, and validate the CellPopAge Clock, an epigenetic clock with underlying algorithm, unique among existing epigenetic clocks for its design to detect anti-ageing compounds in vitro. Additionally, we measured markers of senescence and performed longevity experiments in vivo in Drosophila, to further validate our approach to discover novel anti-ageing compounds. Finally, we bench mark our epigenetic clock with other available epigenetic clocks to consolidate its usefulness and specialisation for primary cells in culture. RESULTS: We developed a novel epigenetic clock, the CellPopAge Clock, to accurately monitor the age of a population of adult human primary cells. We find that the CellPopAge Clock can detect decelerated passage-based ageing of human primary cells treated with rapamycin or trametinib, well-established longevity drugs. We then utilise the CellPopAge Clock as a screening tool for the identification of compounds which decelerate ageing of cell populations, uncovering novel anti-ageing drugs, torin2 and dactolisib (BEZ-235). We demonstrate that delayed epigenetic ageing in human primary cells treated with anti-ageing compounds is accompanied by a reduction in senescence and ageing biomarkers. Finally, we extend our screening platform in vivo by taking advantage of a specially formulated holidic medium for increased drug bioavailability in Drosophila. We show that the novel anti-ageing drugs, torin2 and dactolisib (BEZ-235), increase longevity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our method expands the scope of CpG methylation profiling to accurately and rapidly detecting anti-ageing potential of drugs using human cells in vitro, and in vivo, providing a novel accelerated discovery platform to test sought after anti-ageing compounds and geroprotectors.


Subject(s)
Aging , DNA Methylation , Longevity , Humans , Animals , DNA Methylation/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Aging/drug effects , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Drug Discovery/methods , Cellular Senescence/drug effects , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Drosophila , Cells, Cultured , Sirolimus/pharmacology
6.
Nutrients ; 16(13)2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38999870

ABSTRACT

Investigations into human longevity are increasingly focusing on healthspan enhancement, not just lifespan extension. Lifestyle modifications and nutritional choices, including food supplements, can significantly affect aging and general health. Phytochemicals in centenarians' diets, such as those found in Timut pepper, a Nepalese spice with various medicinal properties, may contribute to their longevity. Similarly, Sichuan pepper, a related species, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. With the broader purpose of uncovering a novel treatment to address aging and its comorbidities, this study aims to investigate the potential lifespan- and healthspan-promoting effects of Timut pepper using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that Timut pepper extract extends C. elegans' lifespan at different maintenance temperatures and increases the proportion of active nematodes in their early adulthood. In addition, we show that Timut pepper extract enhances speed and distance moved as the nematodes age. Finally, Timut pepper extract assures extracellular matrix homeostasis by slowing the age-dependent decline of collagen expression.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans , Capsicum , Collagen , Longevity , Plant Extracts , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Animals , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Collagen/metabolism , Capsicum/chemistry , Aging/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Extracellular Matrix/drug effects , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism
7.
Nature ; 632(8023): 157-165, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39020175

ABSTRACT

For healthspan and lifespan, ERK, AMPK and mTORC1 represent critical pathways and inflammation is a centrally important hallmark1-7. Here we examined whether IL-11, a pro-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-6 family, has a negative effect on age-associated disease and lifespan. As mice age, IL-11 is upregulated across cell types and tissues to regulate an ERK-AMPK-mTORC1 axis to modulate cellular, tissue- and organismal-level ageing pathologies. Deletion of Il11 or Il11ra1 protects against metabolic decline, multi-morbidity and frailty in old age. Administration of anti-IL-11 to 75-week-old mice for 25 weeks improves metabolism and muscle function, and reduces ageing biomarkers and frailty across sexes. In lifespan studies, genetic deletion of Il11 extended the lives of mice of both sexes, by 24.9% on average. Treatment with anti-IL-11 from 75 weeks of age until death extends the median lifespan of male mice by 22.5% and of female mice by 25%. Together, these results demonstrate a role for the pro-inflammatory factor IL-11 in mammalian healthspan and lifespan. We suggest that anti-IL-11 therapy, which is currently in early-stage clinical trials for fibrotic lung disease, may provide a translational opportunity to determine the effects of IL-11 inhibition on ageing pathologies in older people.


Subject(s)
Aging , Interleukin-11 , Longevity , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 , Signal Transduction , Animals , Interleukin-11/metabolism , Male , Mice , Longevity/drug effects , Female , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/antagonists & inhibitors , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Aging/drug effects , Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism , Interleukin-11 Receptor alpha Subunit/deficiency , Frailty/metabolism , AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/drug therapy
8.
J Food Sci ; 89(8): 5101-5112, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39030756

ABSTRACT

Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) is a Brazilian palm tree whose oil in the pulp is rich in oleic acid and carotenoids. However, its physiological function remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of macauba pulp oil (MPO) on the metabolic link between lipid metabolism and lifespan using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). C. elegans were treated with 5.0 mg/mL of MPO for analyzing triglyceride and glycerol accumulation, fatty acid profile, gene expression of lipid and oxidative metabolism proteins under cold (4°C) stress conditions, and lifespan analysis under stress conditions such as cold (4°C), heat (37°C), and oxidative (paraquat) stress. MPO significantly suppressed fat accumulation and increased glycerol (a lipolysis index) and the lifespan of C. elegans at low temperature (4°C). This was accompanied by decreased mRNA levels of the genes involved in lipogenesis (spb-1 and pod-2) and increased levels of the genes involved in fatty acid ß-oxidation (acs-2 and nhr-49) and fat mobilization genes (hosl-1 and aak-2). Additionally, MPO treatment modulated fatty acid pools in C. elegans at low temperatures in that MPO treatment decreased saturated fatty acid levels and shifted the fatty acid profile to long-chain fatty acids. Moreover, the effect of MPO on fat accumulation at low temperatures was abolished in fat-7 mutants, whereas both fat-1 and fat-7 contribute, at least in part, to MPO-elevated survival of C. elegans under cold conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results obtained in the present study may contribute to the understanding of the health benefits of consuming macauba pulp oil and consequently stimulate economic growth and the industrial application of this new type of oil, which may result in the creation of new jobs and increased value of small producers.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Cold Temperature , Lipid Metabolism , Longevity , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Longevity/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Arecaceae/chemistry , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Triglycerides/metabolism , Glycerol/metabolism , Glycerol/pharmacology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Palm Oil/pharmacology
9.
Nutrients ; 16(14)2024 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39064733

ABSTRACT

Milk-derived peptides and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) have gained interest as health-promoting food ingredients. However, the mechanisms by which these nutraceuticals modulate the function of biological systems often remain unclear. We utilized Caenorhabditis elegans to elucidate how MFGM-containing protein powder (MProPow), previously used in a clinical trial, affect the physiology of this model organism. Our results demonstrate that MProPow does not affect lifespan but promotes the fitness of the animals. Surprisingly, gene expression analysis revealed that MProPow decreases the expression of genes functioning on innate immunity, which also translates into reduced survival on pathogenic bacteria. One of the innate immunity-associated genes showing reduced expression upon MProPow supplementation is cpr-3, the homolog of human cathepsin B. Interestingly, knockdown of cpr-3 enhances fitness, but not in MProPow-treated animals, suggesting that MProPow contributes to fitness by downregulating the expression of this gene. In summary, this research highlights the value of C. elegans in testing the biological activity of food supplements and nutraceuticals. Furthermore, this study should encourage investigations into whether milk-derived peptides and MFGM mediate their beneficial effects through the modulation of cathepsin B expression in humans.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Dietary Supplements , Glycolipids , Glycoproteins , Lipid Droplets , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Glycolipids/pharmacology , Glycoproteins/pharmacology , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Immunity, Innate/drug effects , Cathepsin B/metabolism , Powders , Milk Proteins/pharmacology , Longevity/drug effects
10.
Molecules ; 29(11)2024 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38893565

ABSTRACT

L-theanine, a unique non-protein amino acid, is an important bioactive component of green tea. Previous studies have shown that L-theanine has many potent health benefits, such as anti-anxiety effects, regulation of the immune response, relaxing neural tension, and reducing oxidative damage. However, little is known concerning whether L-theanine can improve the clearance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in organisms. Here, we reported that L-theanine treatment increased ATP production and improved mitochondrial morphology to extend the lifespan of UVC-exposed nematodes. Mechanistic investigations showed that L-theanine treatment enhanced the removal of mtDNA damage and extended lifespan by activating autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in UVC-exposed nematodes. In addition, L-theanine treatment also upregulated the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism in UVC-exposed nematodes. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the possibility that tea drinking may prevent mitochondrial-related diseases.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans , Glutamates , Longevity , Mitochondria , Ultraviolet Rays , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Glutamates/pharmacology , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Longevity/drug effects , Longevity/radiation effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism , Autophagy/drug effects , DNA Damage/drug effects , Mitophagy/drug effects , Unfolded Protein Response/drug effects , Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects , Mitochondrial Dynamics/radiation effects , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics
11.
J Agric Food Chem ; 72(25): 14315-14325, 2024 Jun 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38847877

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the mitigation effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on aging induced by 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in Caenorhabditis elegans, evaluate health indicators during the process, and reveal the underlying mechanism through transcriptomics and identification of mutants. The results showed that EGCG alleviated the declined fertility, shortened lifespan, reduced body size, weakened movement, increased reactive oxygen species and lipofuscin, and damaged antioxidative stress response and excessive heat shock proteins caused by 3-MCPD. Transcriptomics study indicated that treatment with 3-MCPD and EGCG altered gene expression, and gene mutants confirmed the involvement of insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway in mediating the process that EGCG alleviated the aging toxicity induced by 3-MCPD. The study showed that EGCG alleviated the aging toxicity induced by 3-MCPD.


Subject(s)
Aging , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Catechin , Heat-Shock Proteins , Reproduction , alpha-Chlorohydrin , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism , Catechin/analogs & derivatives , Catechin/pharmacology , Reproduction/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Aging/drug effects , alpha-Chlorohydrin/toxicity , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects
12.
Molecules ; 29(12)2024 Jun 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38930783

ABSTRACT

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure can contribute to photoaging of skin. Cornus officinalis is rich in ursolic acid (UA), which is beneficial to the prevention of photoaging. Because UA is hardly soluble in water, the Cornus officinalis extract (COE) was obtained using water as the antisolvent to separate the components containing UA from the crude extract of Cornus officinalis. The effect of COE on UVB damage was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that COE could increase the lifespan and enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. elegans exposed to UVB while decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. At the same time, COE upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and promoted the migration of SKN-1 to the nucleus. Moreover, COE inhibited the expression of the skn-1 downstream gene and the extension of the lifespan in skn-1 mutants exposed to UVB, indicating that SKN-1 was required for COE to function. Our findings indicate that COE mainly ameliorates the oxidative stress caused by UVB in C. elegans via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Cornus , Oxidative Stress , Plant Extracts , Triterpenes , Ultraviolet Rays , Ursolic Acid , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Triterpenes/chemistry , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Cornus/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Skin Aging/drug effects , Skin Aging/radiation effects , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Longevity/drug effects , Longevity/radiation effects , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics
13.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 13713, 2024 06 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38877105

ABSTRACT

Jujubae Fructus, the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba Mill has been used as one of the medicine food homology species for thousands of years in China. Studies have shown that the active ingredients of Jujubae Fructus have a variety of biological effects, but its role in the aging process still lacks knowledge. Here, we investigated the effect of Jujubae Fructus extract (JE) on Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan and its potential mechanism. The lifespan of C. elegans treated with JE was signifificantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, JE treatment prolonged the reproductive period and increased normal activity during aging in C. elegans. Similarly, JE supplementation also enhanced the resistance to heat and oxidative stress in C. elegans. Furthermore, the mutant worms' lifespan assays demonstrated that JE requires daf-16 to prolong lifespan. DAF-16::GFP analysis of TJ356 showed that JE treatment translocates DAF-16::GFP to nucleus in transgenic worms. By analyzing the downstream of daf-16, we identify that JE may regulate sod3 downstream of daf-16. Mutant worms' lifespan and transgenic reporter gene expression assays revealed that increasing SOD-3 expression was critical for extending longevity in C. elegans with JE therapy. Collectively, these data indicate that JE may have an important role in C. elegans longevity that is dependent on DAF-16 and SOD-3.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Longevity , Oxidative Stress , Plant Extracts , Superoxide Dismutase , Ziziphus , Animals , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Longevity/drug effects , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics , Ziziphus/chemistry , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Fruit/chemistry
14.
Exp Gerontol ; 194: 112495, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38897393

ABSTRACT

Aging is one of the main risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders, which represent a global burden on healthcare systems. Therefore, identifying new strategies to slow the progression of brain aging is a compelling challenge. In this article, we first assessed the potential anti-aging effects of the Citrus flavanone naringenin (NAR), an activator of the enzyme sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), in a 3R-compliant and short-lived aging model (i.e., the nematode C. elegans). Then, we investigated the preventive effects of a 6-month treatment with NAR (100 mg/kg, orally) against brain aging and studied its mechanism of action in middle-aged mice. We demonstrated that NAR (100 µM) extends lifespan and improves healthspan in C. elegans. In the brain of middle-aged mice, NAR promotes the activity of metabolic enzymes (citrate synthase, cytochrome C oxidase) and increases the expression of the SIRT1 enzyme. Consistently, NAR up-regulates the expression of downstream antioxidant (Foxo3, Nrf2, Ho-1), anti-senescence (p16), and anti-inflammatory (Il-6, Il-18) markers. Our findings support NAR supplementation to slow the signs of brain aging.


Subject(s)
Aging , Brain , Caenorhabditis elegans , Citrus , Flavanones , Longevity , Sirtuin 1 , Animals , Flavanones/pharmacology , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Aging/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Sirtuin 1/metabolism , Mice , Citrus/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL
15.
Biomed Pharmacother ; 177: 116956, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38901202

ABSTRACT

The fading efficacy of antibiotics is a growing global health concern due to its life-threatening consequences and increased healthcare costs. Non-genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, such as those employed by Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis, complicate treatment as these bacteria can enter a non-replicative, persistent state under stress, evading antibiotics and linking to inflammatory conditions. Understanding chlamydial persistence at the molecular level is challenging, and new models for studying Chlamydia-host interactions in vivo are urgently needed. Caenorhabditis elegans offers an alternative given its immune system and numerous orthologues of human genes. This study established C. elegans as an in vivo model for chlamydial infection. Both Chlamydia species reduced the worm's lifespan, their DNA being detectable at three- and six-days post-infection. Azithromycin at its MIC (25 nM) failed to prevent the infection-induced lifespan reduction, indicating a persister phenotype. In contrast, the methanolic extract of Schisandra chinensis berries showed anti-chlamydial activity both in vitro (in THP-1 macrophages) and in vivo, significantly extending the lifespan of infected C. elegans and reducing the bacterial load. Moreover, S. chinensis increased the transcriptional activity of SKN-1 in the worms, but was unable to impact the bacterial load or lifespan in a sek-1 defective C. elegans strain. In summary, this study validated C. elegans as a chlamydial infection model and showcased S. chinensis berries' in vivo anti-chlamydial potential, possibly through SEK/SKN-1 signaling modulation.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins , Caenorhabditis elegans , Chlamydia Infections , Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Animals , Humans , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics , Chlamydia Infections/microbiology , Chlamydia Infections/drug therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Chlamydia trachomatis/drug effects , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , THP-1 Cells , Azithromycin/pharmacology , Longevity/drug effects , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/drug effects
16.
Food Funct ; 15(14): 7468-7477, 2024 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38912918

ABSTRACT

Dietary fiber has been shown to have multiple health benefits, including a positive effect on longevity and the gut microbiota. In the present study, Drosophila melanogaster has been chosen as an in vivo model organism to study the health effects of dietary fiber supplementation (DFS). DFS extended the mean half-life of male and female flies, but the absolute lifespan only increased in females. To reveal the underlying mechanisms, we examined the effect of DFS on gut microbiota diversity and abundance, local gut immunity, and the brain proteome. A significant difference in the gut microbial community was observed between groups with and without fiber supplementation, which reduced the gut pathogenic bacterial load. We also observed an upregulated expression of dual oxidase and a modulated expression of Attacin and Diptericin genes in the gut of older flies, possibly delaying the gut dysbiosis connected to the age-related gut immune dysfunction. Brain proteome analysis showed that DFS led to the modulation of metabolic processes connected to mitochondrial biogenesis, the RhoV-GTPase cycle, organelle biogenesis and maintenance, membrane trafficking and vesicle-mediated transport, possibly orchestrated through a gut-brain axis interaction. Taken together, our study shows that DFS can prolong the half-life and lifespan of flies, possibly by promoting a healthier gut environment and delaying the physiological dysbiosis that characterizes the ageing process. However, the RhoV-GTPase cycle at the brain level may deserve more attention in future studies.


Subject(s)
Dietary Fiber , Dietary Supplements , Drosophila melanogaster , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Longevity , Animals , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Female , Male , Dietary Fiber/pharmacology , Dietary Fiber/metabolism , Brain/metabolism
17.
Aging (Albany NY) ; 16(11): 9309-9333, 2024 06 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38862239

ABSTRACT

The amount of dietary sugars and the administration of lithium both impact the lifespan of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. It is noteworthy that lithium is attributed with insulin-like activity as it stimulates protein kinase B/Akt and suppresses the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). However, its interaction with dietary sugar has largely remained unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of lithium supplementation on known lithium-sensitive parameters in fruit flies, such as lifespan, body composition, GSK-3 phosphorylation, and the transcriptome, while varying the dietary sugar concentration. For all these parameters, we observed that the efficacy of lithium was significantly influenced by the sucrose content in the diet. Overall, we found that lithium was most effective in enhancing longevity and altering body composition when added to a low-sucrose diet. Whole-body RNA sequencing revealed a remarkably similar transcriptional response when either increasing dietary sucrose from 1% to 10% or adding 1 mM LiCl to a 1% sucrose diet, characterized by a substantial overlap of nearly 500 differentially expressed genes. Hence, dietary sugar supply is suggested as a key factor in understanding lithium bioactivity, which could hold relevance for its therapeutic applications.


Subject(s)
Dietary Sucrose , Drosophila melanogaster , Longevity , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Drosophila melanogaster/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Longevity/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/genetics , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/metabolism , Lithium/pharmacology , Lithium Chloride/pharmacology , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
18.
Sci Total Environ ; 943: 173785, 2024 Sep 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38851349

ABSTRACT

Chemical pollution is a major man-made environmental threat to ecosystems and natural animal populations. Of concern are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which can persist in the environment for many years. While bioaccumulating throughout the lives of wild animals, POPs can affect their health, reproduction, and survival. However, measuring long-term effects of POPs in wild populations is challenging, and therefore appropriate biomarkers are required in wildlife ecotoxicology. One potential target is telomere length, since telomere preservation has been associated to survival and longevity, and stressors as chemical pollution can disrupt its maintenance. Here, we investigated the effects of different classes of POPs on relative telomere length (RTL) and its rate of change (TROC) in wild long-lived Alpine swifts (Tachymarptis melba). As both RTL and TROC are often reported to differ between sexes and with chronological age, we tested for sex- and age-specific (pre-senescent vs. senescent, ≥ 9 age of years, individuals) effects of POPs. Our results showed that senescent females presented longer RTL and elongated telomeres over time compared to pre-senescent females and males. These sex- and age-related differences in RTL and TROC were influenced by POPs, but differently depending on whether they were organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) or industrial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). OCPs (particularly drins) were negatively associated with RTL, with the strongest negative effects being found in senescent females. Conversely, PCBs led to slower rates of telomere shortening, especially in females. Our study indicates diametrically opposed effects of OCPs on RTL and PCBs on TROC, and these effects were more pronounced in females and senescent individuals. The mechanisms behind these effects (e.g., increased oxidative stress by OCPs; upregulation of telomerase activity by PCBs) remain unknown. Our results highlight the importance in wildlife ecotoxicology to account for sex- and age-related effects when investigating the health effects of pollutants on biomarkers such as telomeres.


Subject(s)
Birds , Persistent Organic Pollutants , Telomere , Animals , Male , Female , Telomere/drug effects , Persistent Organic Pollutants/toxicity , Longevity/drug effects , Sex Factors , Age Factors , Environmental Monitoring
19.
Chemosphere ; 361: 142560, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38851504

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that exert multiple toxicological effects. Current studies have mainly focused on modeled or unaged MPs, which lack environmental relevance. The generation and toxicity of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) on photoaging polystyrene (PS) have not been well studied, and the role of EPFRs on the toxic effects of photoaged PS is easily ignored. Photoaging primarily produces EPFRs, followed by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and oxidative potential, which alter the physicochemical properties of photoaged PS. The mean lifespan and lipofuscin content were significantly altered after acute exposure to photoaged PS for 45 d (PS-45) and 60 d (PS-60) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Intestinal ROS and gst-4::GFP expression were enhanced, concomitant with the upregulation of associated genes. Treatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine by radical quenching test significantly decreased EPFRs levels on the aged PS and inhibited the acceleration of the aging and oxidative stress response in nematodes. Pearson's correlation analysis also indicated that the EPFRs levels were significantly associated with these factors. Thus, the EPFRs generated on photoaged PS contribute to the acceleration of aging by oxidative stress. This study provides new insights into the potential toxicity and highlights the need to consider the role of EPFRs in the toxicity assessment of photoaged PS.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans , Longevity , Microplastics , Oxidative Stress , Reactive Oxygen Species , Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology , Animals , Microplastics/toxicity , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Free Radicals/metabolism , Polystyrenes/toxicity , Lipofuscin/metabolism , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity
20.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr ; 125: 105517, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38851091

ABSTRACT

This investigation explores the combined influence of SCD Probiotics and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on liver health in elderly male Sprague-Dawley rats. Through the administration of intravenous TUDCA (300 mg/kg) and oral SCD Probiotics (3 mL at 1 × 10^8 CFU) daily for one week, this study evaluates the biomolecular composition, histopathological alterations, and inflammasome activity in the liver. Analytical methods encompassed ATR-FTIR spectroscopy integrated with machine learning for the assessment of biomolecular structures, RT-qPCR for quantifying inflammasome markers (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL18, IL1ß), and histological examinations to assess liver pathology. The findings reveal that TUDCA prominently enhanced lipid metabolism by reducing cholesterol esters, while SCD Probiotics modulated both lipid and protein profiles, notably affecting fatty acid chain lengths and protein configurations. Histological analysis showed significant reductions in cellular degeneration, lymphatic infiltration, and hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, the study noted a decrease in the immunoreactivity for NLRP3 and ASC, suggesting suppressed inflammasome activity. While SCD Probiotics reduced the expression of certain inflammasome-related genes, they also paradoxically increased AST and LDH levels. Conversely, an exclusive elevation in albumin levels was observed in the group treated with SCD Probiotics, implying a protective role against liver damage. These results underscore the therapeutic potential of TUDCA and SCD Probiotics for managing age-associated liver disorders, illustrating their individual and synergistic effects on liver health and pathology. This study provides insights into the complex interactions of these agents, advocating for customized therapeutic approaches to combat liver fibrosis, enhance liver functionality, and decrease inflammation in aging populations.


Subject(s)
Inflammasomes , Liver , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein , Probiotics , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid , Animals , Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism , Probiotics/pharmacology , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Male , Rats , Inflammasomes/metabolism , Inflammasomes/drug effects , Liver/pathology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Longevity/drug effects , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Aging/drug effects
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