From rapalogs to anti-aging formula. Oncotarget. 2017;8:35492-35507. [PMID: 28548953 PMCID: PMC5482593 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18033]

Model organism life extending therapeutics modulate diverse nodes in the drug-gene-microbe tripartite human longevity interactome

Advances in antiaging drug/lead discovery in animal models constitute a large body of literature on novel senotherapeutics and geroprotectives. However, with little direct evidence or mechanism of action in humans-these drugs are utilized as nutraceuticals or repurposed supplements without proper testing directions, appropriate biomarkers, or consistent in-vivo models. In this study, we take previously identified drug candidates that have significant evidence of prolonging lifespan and promoting healthy aging in model organisms, and simulate them in human metabolic interactome networks. Screening for drug-likeness, toxicity, and KEGG network correlation scores, we generated a library of 285 safe and bioavailable compounds. We interrogated this library to present computational modeling-derived estimations of a tripartite interaction map of animal geroprotective compounds in the human molecular interactome extracted from longevity, senescence, and dietary restriction-associated genes. Our findings reflect previous studies in aging-associated metabolic disorders, and predict 25 best-connected drug interactors including Resveratrol, EGCG, Metformin, Trichostatin A, Caffeic Acid and Quercetin as direct modulators of lifespan and healthspan-associated pathways. We further clustered these compounds and the functionally enriched subnetworks therewith to identify longevity-exclusive, senescence-exclusive, pseudo-omniregulators and omniregulators within the set of interactome hub genes. Additionally, serum markers for drug-interactions, and interactions with potentially geroprotective gut microbial species distinguish the current study and present a holistic depiction of optimum gut microbial alteration by candidate drugs. These findings provide a systems level model of animal life-extending therapeutics in human systems, and act as precursors for expediting the ongoing global effort to find effective antiaging pharmacological interventions.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Monensin, an Antibiotic Isolated from Streptomyces Cinnamonensis, Regulates Human Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway and Acts Synergistically with Rapamycin

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial childhood tumor and accounts for approximately 15% of pediatric cancer-related deaths. Further studies are needed to identify potential therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma. Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces cinnamonensis with known antibacterial and antiparasitic effects. No study has reported the effects of monensin on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative effects of monensin alone and in combination with rapamycin in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells mediated by the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The effects of single and combination applications of monensin and rapamycin on SH-SY5Y cell proliferation were investigated by XTT, and their effects on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. The combined effects of monensin and rapamycin on SH-SY5Y proliferation were most potent at 72 h (combination index < 1). The combination of monensin and rapamycin caused a significant decrease in the expression of P21RAS, AKT, and MAPK1 genes. Single and combined administrations of monensin and rapamycin caused a significant decrease in PI3K/AKT expression. Our results showed for the first time that monensin exerts an antiproliferative effect by targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in neuroblastoma cells. It is suggested that monensin and its combination with rapamycin may be an effective therapeutic candidate for treating neuroblastoma.

Improving the effectiveness of anti-aging modalities by using the constrained disorder principle-based management algorithms

Aging is a complex biological process with multifactorial nature underlined by genetic, environmental, and social factors. In the present paper, we review several mechanisms of aging and the pre-clinically and clinically studied anti-aging therapies. Variability characterizes biological processes from the genome to cellular organelles, biochemical processes, and whole organs' function. Aging is associated with alterations in the degrees of variability and complexity of systems. The constrained disorder principle defines living organisms based on their inherent disorder within arbitrary boundaries and defines aging as having a lower variability or moving outside the boundaries of variability. We focus on associations between variability and hallmarks of aging and discuss the roles of disorder and variability of systems in the pathogenesis of aging. The paper presents the concept of implementing the constrained disease principle-based second-generation artificial intelligence systems for improving anti-aging modalities. The platform uses constrained noise to enhance systems' efficiency and slow the aging process. Described is the potential use of second-generation artificial intelligence systems in patients with chronic disease and its implications for the aged population.

Deep phenotyping and lifetime trajectories reveal limited effects of longevity regulators on the aging process in C57BL/6J mice

Current concepts regarding the biology of aging are primarily based on studies aimed at identifying factors regulating lifespan. However, lifespan as a sole proxy measure for aging can be of limited value because it may be restricted by specific pathologies. Here, we employ large-scale phenotyping to analyze hundreds of markers in aging male C57BL/6J mice. For each phenotype, we establish lifetime profiles to determine when age-dependent change is first detectable relative to the young adult baseline. We examine key lifespan regulators (putative anti-aging interventions; PAAIs) for a possible countering of aging. Importantly, unlike most previous studies, we include in our study design young treated groups of animals, subjected to PAAIs prior to the onset of detectable age-dependent phenotypic change. Many PAAI effects influence phenotypes long before the onset of detectable age-dependent change, but, importantly, do not alter the rate of phenotypic change. Hence, these PAAIs have limited effects on aging.

Obesity in Caucasian Seniors on the Rise: Is It Truly Harmful? Results of the PolSenior2 Study

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality; however, data suggest that in old age, obesity is not detrimental. The study’s objective was to verify whether obesity frequency still increases in Polish Caucasian seniors and to verify the “obesity paradox”. Five thousand and fifty-seven community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 65 years completed a detailed medical questionnaire, underwent measurements of the body mass index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC), and an evaluation of physical and cognitive performances. Over a decade, general obesity increased by 2.1%, mostly due to a 3.9% increase in men. Abdominal obesity increased by 1.0%, mainly due to males, in whom it increased by 3.9%. Obesity increased the risk of several aging-related diseases, but this effect was less pronounced in the oldest-old. Obesity did not adversely affect the physical and cognitive functioning or mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, the BMI and WC remained the independent predictors of the Katz Activities of Daily Living score (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and Mini-Mental State Examination score (both p < 0.001). The Kaplan−Meier survival curves revealed that overweight and obesity classes 1 and 2 were associated with the lowest mortality. Through a multivariable analysis, overweight, class 1 obesity, and abdominal obesity remained the independent predictors of a decreased mortality (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that overweight and obesity are not detrimental in seniors, including the oldest-old. We suggest that the anthropometric values defining obesity should be modified for age-advanced people.

The interplay of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and aging: a biological, clinical and public health approach

The post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is characterized by the persistence of fluctuating symptoms over three months from the onset of the possible or confirmed COVID-19 acute phase. Current data suggests that at least 10% of people with previously documented infection may develop PACS, and up to 50-80% of prevalence is reported among survivors after hospital discharge. This viewpoint will discuss various aspects of PACS, particularly in older adults, with a specific hypothesis to describe PACS as the expression of a modified aging trajectory induced by SARS CoV-2. This hypothesis will be argued from biological, clinical and public health view, addressing three main questions: (i) does SARS-CoV-2-induced alterations in aging trajectories play a role in PACS?; (ii) do people with PACS face immuno-metabolic derangements that lead to increased susceptibility to age-related diseases?; (iii) is it possible to restore the healthy aging trajectory followed by the individual before pre-COVID?. A particular focus will be given to the well-being of people with PACS that could be assessed by the intrinsic capacity model and support the definition of the healthy aging trajectory.

Lessons Learned From Blue Zones, Lifestyle Medicine Pillars and Beyond: An Update on the Contributions of Behavior and Genetics to Wellbeing and Longevity

Blue Zones are regions of the world that have a higher number of individuals who live longer than the expected average. The current paper revisits principles previously identified to be common in Blue Zones and to be contributing to longevity ( move naturally, eat wisely, improve resilience to stress, get adequate sleep, keep strong family ties, stimulate strong community support, respect for the planet and having a purpose in life’), compares these to the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine ( healthy eating, exercising, avoidance of smoking and other risky substances, stress management, restorative sleep, and forming and maintaining relationships) and reviews new studies investigating the association between behavioral factors and longevity. In addition to the role of behavior, the review also discusses the important role of genetics and emphasizes the importance of conducting further research to understand how behavioral and genetic factors may affect molecular pathways with consequent effects on wellbeing and longevity.

Redox-based disruption of cellular hormesis and promotion of degenerative pathways: perspectives on ageing processes

The present work aims to link the redox and cell-centric theories of chronic processes in human biology, focusing on ageing. A synthetic overview of cellular redox pathways will be integrated by the concept of hormesis, which disruption leads to several physiopathological processes. The onset of age-related diseases due to the restriction of homeodynamic capacity will be herein considered in a redox fashion. Up-to-date arguments on hormetic agents, such as geroprotectors, dietary interventions, and physical exercise are refining the presented theoretical framework, integrated by insights from extracellular vesicles, microbiota, pollutants, and timing mechanisms. The broad concepts of exposome encompass the redox-based alteration of cellular hormesis for providing meaningful perspectives on redox biogerontology.

Antiaging agents: safe interventions to slow aging and healthy life span extension

Human longevity has increased dramatically during the past century. More than 20% of the 9 billion population of the world will exceed the age of 60 in 2050. Since the last three decades, some interventions and many preclinical studies have been found to show slowing aging and increasing the healthy lifespan of organisms from yeast, flies, rodents to nonhuman primates. The interventions are classified into two groups: lifestyle modifications and pharmacological/genetic manipulations. Some genetic pathways have been characterized to have a specific role in controlling aging and lifespan. Thus, all genes in the pathways are potential antiaging targets. Currently, many antiaging compounds target the calorie-restriction mimetic, autophagy induction, and putative enhancement of cell regeneration, epigenetic modulation of gene activity such as inhibition of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases, are under development. It appears evident that the exploration of new targets for these antiaging agents based on biogerontological research provides an incredible opportunity for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The present review focus on the properties of slow aging and healthy life span extension of natural products from various biological resources, endogenous substances, drugs, and synthetic compounds, as well as the mechanisms of targets for antiaging evaluation. These bioactive compounds that could benefit healthy aging and the potential role of life span extension are discussed.

Short senolytic or senostatic interventions rescue progression of radiation-induced frailty and premature ageing in mice

Cancer survivors suffer from progressive frailty, multimorbidity, and premature morbidity. We hypothesise that therapy-induced senescence and senescence progression via bystander effects are significant causes of this premature ageing phenotype. Accordingly, the study addresses the question whether a short anti-senescence intervention is able to block progression of radiation-induced frailty and disability in a pre-clinical setting. Male mice were sublethally irradiated at 5 months of age and treated (or not) with either a senolytic drug (Navitoclax or dasatinib + quercetin) for 10 days or with the senostatic metformin for 10 weeks. Follow-up was for 1 year. Treatments commencing within a month after irradiation effectively reduced frailty progression (p<0.05) and improved muscle (p<0.01) and liver (p<0.05) function as well as short-term memory (p<0.05) until advanced age with no need for repeated interventions. Senolytic interventions that started late, after radiation-induced premature frailty was manifest, still had beneficial effects on frailty (p<0.05) and short-term memory (p<0.05). Metformin was similarly effective as senolytics. At therapeutically achievable concentrations, metformin acted as a senostatic neither via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, nor via improvement of mitophagy or mitochondrial function, but by reducing non-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production via NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition in senescent cells. Our study suggests that the progression of adverse long-term health and quality-of-life effects of radiation exposure, as experienced by cancer survivors, might be rescued by short-term adjuvant anti-senescence interventions.

Inhibiting the Priming for Cancer in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Simple Summary

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) is a rare cancer pre-disposition syndrome associated with a germline mutation in the TP53 tumour suppressor gene. People with LFS have a 90% chance of suffering one or more cancers in their lifetime. No treatments exist to reduce this cancer risk. This paper reviews the evidence for how cancers start in people with LFS and proposes that a series of commonly used non-cancer drugs, including metformin and aspirin, can help reduce that lifetime risk of cancer.

Abstract

The concept of the pre-cancerous niche applies the ‘seed and soil’ theory of metastasis to the initial process of carcinogenesis. TP53 is at the nexus of this process and, in the context of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), is a key determinant of the conditions in which cancers are formed and progress. Important factors in the creation of the pre-cancerous niche include disrupted tissue homeostasis, cellular metabolism and chronic inflammation. While druggability of TP53 remains a challenge, there is evidence that drug re-purposing may be able to address aspects of pre-cancerous niche formation and thereby reduce the risk of cancer in individuals with LFS.

Role of senescence in the chronic health consequences of COVID-19

While the full impact of COVID-19 is not yet clear, early studies have indicated that upwards of 10% of patients experience COVID-19 symptoms longer than 3 weeks, known as Long-Hauler's Syndrome or PACS (postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection). There is little known about risk factors or predictors of susceptibility for Long-Hauler's Syndrome, but older adults are at greater risk for severe outcomes and mortality from COVID-19. The pillars of aging (including cellular senescence, telomere dysfunction, impaired proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, deregulated nutrient sensing, genomic instability, progenitor cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication, and epigenetic alterations) that contribute to age-related dysfunction and chronic diseases (the "Geroscience Hypothesis") may interfere with defenses against viral infection and consequences of these infections. Heightening of the low-grade inflammation that is associated with aging may generate an exaggerated response to an acute COVID-19 infection. Innate immune system dysfunction that leads to decreased senescent cell removal and/or increased senescent cell formation could contribute to accumulation of senescent cells with both aging and viral infections. These processes may contribute to increased risk for long-term COVID-19 sequelae in older or chronically ill patients. Hence, senolytics and other geroscience interventions that may prolong healthspan and alleviate chronic diseases and multimorbidity linked to fundamental aging processes might be an option for delaying, preventing, or alleviating Long-Hauler's Syndrome.

A human-based multi-gene signature enables quantitative drug repurposing for metabolic disease

Insulin resistance (IR) contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes, dementia, viral infection, and cardiovascular disease. Drug repurposing (DR) may identify treatments for IR; however, barriers include uncertainty whether in vitro transcriptomic assays yield quantitative pharmacological data, or how to optimise assay design to best reflect in vivo human disease. We developed a clinical-based human tissue IR signature by combining lifestyle-mediated treatment responses (>500 human adipose and muscle biopsies) with biomarkers of disease status (fasting IR from >1200 biopsies). The assay identified a chemically diverse set of >130 positively acting compounds, highly enriched in true positives, that targeted 73 proteins regulating IR pathways. Our multi-gene RNA assay score reflected the quantitative pharmacological properties of a set of epidermal growth factor receptor-related tyrosine kinase inhibitors, providing insight into drug target specificity; an observation supported by deep learning-based genome-wide predicted pharmacology. Several drugs identified are suitable for evaluation in patients, particularly those with either acute or severe chronic IR.

Protective effect of olive leaves phenolic compounds against neurodegenerative disorders: Promising alternative for Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases modulation

The main objective of this work was to review literature on compounds extracted from olive tree leaves, such as simple phenols (hydroxytyrosol) and flavonoids (Apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin.) and their diverse pharmacological activities as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. In addition, the study discussed the key mechanisms underlying their neuroprotective effects. This study adopted an approach of collecting data through the databases provided by ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, PubMed and Google Scholar. This review revealed that there was an agreement on the great impact of olive tree leaves phenolic compounds on many metabolic syndromes as well as on the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson. These findings would be of great importance for the use of olive tree leaves extracts as a food supplement and/or a source of drugs for many diseases. In addition, this review would of great help to beginning researchers in the field since it would offer them a general overview of the studies undertaken in the last two decades on the topic.

Hydroxyurea Induces Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Senescence and Modifies Cell Functionality In Vitro

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic agent that functions as an antimetabolite compound by inhibiting the ribonucleotide reductase. HU acts mainly as a cytostatic drug that through DNA replication stress may trigger a premature senescence-like cell phenotype, though its influence on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (BMMSC) functions has not elucidated yet. Our results indicate that HU inhibits the growth of human BMMSC alongside senescence-like changes in both morphology and replicative potential, provokes cell cycle arrest at the S phase without affecting cellular viability and induces the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase and p16INK4. Moreover, HU-induced senescent BMMSC, although they did not change MSC markers expression, exhibited reduced capacity osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Conversely, HU treatment increased immunoregulatory functions of BMMSC compared with untreated cells and determined by T-cell proliferation. Interestingly, HU did not influence the capacity of BMMSC to induce monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Thus, these results suggest that HU improves the BMMSC functions on the T-cell inhibition and preserves their interaction with myeloid cell compartment. Mechanistically, BMMSC under HU treatment displayed a downregulation of mTOR and p38 MAPK signaling that may explain the reduced cell differentiation and increased immunomodulation activities. Together, the results obtained in this investigation suggest that HU by inducing senescence-like phenotype of BMMSC influences their cellular differentiation and immunoregulatory functions.

Hydroxyurea Induces Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Senescence and Modifies Cell Functionality In Vitro

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic agent that functions as an antimetabolite compound by inhibiting the ribonucleotide reductase. HU acts mainly as a cytostatic drug that through DNA replication stress may trigger a premature senescence-like cell phenotype, though its influence on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (BMMSC) functions has not elucidated yet. Our results indicate that HU inhibits the growth of human BMMSC alongside senescence-like changes in both morphology and replicative potential, provokes cell cycle arrest at the S phase without affecting cellular viability and induces the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase and p16INK4. Moreover, HU-induced senescent BMMSC, although they did not change MSC markers expression, exhibited reduced capacity osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Conversely, HU treatment increased immunoregulatory functions of BMMSC compared with untreated cells and determined by T-cell proliferation. Interestingly, HU did not influence the capacity of BMMSC to induce monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Thus, these results suggest that HU improves the BMMSC functions on the T-cell inhibition and preserves their interaction with myeloid cell compartment. Mechanistically, BMMSC under HU treatment displayed a downregulation of mTOR and p38 MAPK signaling that may explain the reduced cell differentiation and increased immunomodulation activities. Together, the results obtained in this investigation suggest that HU by inducing senescence-like phenotype of BMMSC influences their cellular differentiation and immunoregulatory functions.

COVID-19, ferrosenescence and neurodegeneration, a mini-review

Exacerbation of cognitive, motor and nonmotor symptoms have been described in critically ill COVID-19 patients, indicating that, like prior pandemics, neurodegenerative sequelae may mark the aftermath of this viral infection. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, was associated with hyperferritinemia and unfavorable prognosis in older individuals, suggesting virus-induced ferrosenescence. We have previously defined ferrosenescence as an iron-associated disruption of both the human genome and its repair mechanisms, leading to premature cellular senescence and neurodegeneration. As viruses replicate more efficiently in iron-rich senescent cells, they may have developed the ability to induce this phenotype in host tissues, predisposing to both immune dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders. In this mini-review, we summarize what is known about the SARS-CoV-2-induced cellular senescence and iron dysmetabolism. We also take a closer look at immunotherapy with natural killer cells, angiotensin II receptor blockers ("sartans"), iron chelators and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors ("gliptins") as adjunct treatments for both COVID-19 and its neurodegenerative complications.

Pasteurized non-fermented cow's milk but not fermented milk is a promoter of mTORC1-driven aging and increased mortality

Recent epidemiological studies in Sweden, a country with traditionally high milk consumption, revealed that the intake of non-fermented pasteurized milk increased all-cause mortality in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the majority of epidemiological and clinical studies report beneficial health effects of fermented milk products, especially of yogurt. It is the intention of this review to delineate potential molecular aging mechanisms related to the intake of non-fermented milk versus yogurt on the basis of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Non-fermented pasteurized milk via its high bioavailability of insulinotropic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), abundance of lactose (glucosyl-galactose) and bioactive exosomal microRNAs (miRs) enhances mTORC1 signaling, which shortens lifespan and increases all-cause mortality. In contrast, fermentation-associated lactic acid bacteria metabolize BCAAs and degrade galactose and milk exosomes including their mTORC1-activating microRNAs. The Industrial Revolution, with the introduction of pasteurization and refrigeration of milk, restricted the action of beneficial milk-fermenting bacteria, which degrade milk's BCAAs, galactose and bioactive miRs that synergistically activate mTORC1. This unrecognized behavior change in humans after the Neolithic revolution increased aging-related over-activation of mTORC1 signaling in humans, who persistently consume large quantities of non-fermented pasteurized cow's milk, a potential risk factor for aging and all-cause mortality.

Combining a High Dose of Metformin With the SIRT1 Activator, SRT1720, Reduces Life Span in Aged Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

SRT1720, a sirtuin1-activator, and metformin (MET), an antidiabetic drug, confer health and life-span benefits when administered individually. It is unclear whether combination of the two compounds could lead to additional benefits. Groups of 56-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) alone or supplemented with either SRT1720 (2 g/kg food), a high dose of MET (1% wt/wt food), or a combination of both. Animals were monitored for survival, body weight, food consumption, body composition, and rotarod performance. Mice treated with MET alone did not have improved longevity, and life span was dramatically reduced by combination of MET with SRT1720. Although all groups of animals were consuming similar amounts of food, mice on MET or MET + SRT1720 showed a sharp reduction in body weight. SRT1720 + MET mice also had lower percent body fat combined with better performance on the rotarod compared to controls. These data suggest that co-treatment of SRT1720 with MET is detrimental to survival at the doses used and, therefore, risk-benefits of combining life-span-extending drugs especially in older populations needs to be systematically evaluated.

Synergistic Effects of Milk-Derived Exosomes and Galactose on α-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Epidemiological studies associate milk consumption with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). PD is an α-synucleinopathy associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, deficient lysosomal clearance of α-synuclein (α-syn) and aggregation of misfolded α-syn. In T2D, α-syn promotes co-aggregation with islet amyloid polypeptide in pancreatic β-cells. Prion-like vagal nerve-mediated propagation of exosomal α-syn from the gut to the brain and pancreatic islets apparently link both pathologies. Exosomes are critical transmitters of α-syn from cell to cell especially under conditions of compromised autophagy. This review provides translational evidence that milk exosomes (MEX) disturb α-syn homeostasis. MEX are taken up by intestinal epithelial cells and accumulate in the brain after oral administration to mice. The potential uptake of MEX miRNA-148a and miRNA-21 by enteroendocrine cells in the gut, dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and pancreatic β-cells may enhance miRNA-148a/DNMT1-dependent overexpression of α-syn and impair miRNA-148a/PPARGC1A- and miRNA-21/LAMP2A-dependent autophagy driving both diseases. MiRNA-148a- and galactose-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress activate c-Abl-mediated aggregation of α-syn which is exported by exosome release. Via the vagal nerve and/or systemic exosomes, toxic α-syn may spread to dopaminergic neurons and pancreatic β-cells linking the pathogenesis of PD and T2D.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Aging and Cardiovascular Diseases

Aging can be seen as process characterized by accumulation of oxidative stress induced damage. Oxidative stress derives from different endogenous and exogenous processes, all of which ultimately lead to progressive loss in tissue and organ structure and functions. The oxidative stress theory of aging expresses itself in age-related diseases. Aging is in fact a primary risk factor for many diseases and in particular for cardiovascular diseases and its derived morbidity and mortality. Here we highlight the role of oxidative stress in age-related cardiovascular aging and diseases. We take into consideration the molecular mechanisms, the structural and functional alterations, and the diseases accompanied to the cardiovascular aging process.

A systems pharmacology approach to identify the autophagy-inducing effects of Traditional Persian medicinal plants

Aging is correlated with several complex diseases, including type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration diseases, and cancer. Identifying the nature of this correlation and treatment of age-related diseases has been a major subject of both modern and traditional medicine. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) embodies many prescriptions for the treatment of ARDs. Given that autophagy plays a critical role in antiaging processes, the present study aimed to examine whether the documented effect of plants used in TPM might be relevant to the induction of autophagy? To this end, the TPM-based medicinal herbs used in the treatment of the ARDs were identified from modern and traditional references. The known phytochemicals of these plants were then examined against literature for evidence of having autophagy inducing effects. As a result, several plants were identified to have multiple active ingredients, which indeed regulate the autophagy or its upstream pathways. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis of the identified targets confirmed the collective contribution of the identified targets in autophagy regulating processes. Also, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the targets was reconstructed. Network centrality analysis of the PPI network identified mTOR as the key network hub. Given the well-documented role of mTOR in inhibiting autophagy, our results hence support the hypothesis that the antiaging mechanism of TPM-based medicines might involve autophagy induction. Chemoinformatics study of the phytochemicals using docking and molecular dynamics simulation identified, among other compounds, the cyclo-trijuglone of Juglans regia L. as a potential ATP-competitive inhibitor of mTOR. Our results hence, provide a basis for the study of TPM-based prescriptions using modern tools in the quest for developing synergistic therapies for ARDs.

Effect of metformin on stem cells: Molecular mechanism and clinical prospect

Metformin is a first-line medication for type II diabetes. Numerous studies have shown that metformin not only has hypoglycemic effects, but also modulates many physiological and pathological processes ranging from aging and cancer to fracture healing. During these different physiological activities and pathological changes, stem cells usually play a core role. Thus, many studies have investigated the effects of metformin on stem cells. Metformin affects cell differentiation and has promising applications in stem cell medicine. It exerts anti-aging effects and can be applied to gerontology and regenerative medicine. The potential anti-cancer stem cell effect of metformin indicates that it can be an adjuvant therapy for cancers. Furthermore, metformin has beneficial effects against many other diseases including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the effects of metformin on stem cells and provide an overview of its molecular mechanisms and clinical prospects.

In-silico screening of bioactive phytopeptides for novel anti-ageing therapeutics

A metabolic network of energy-sensing molecular pathways drives the biological ageing process. Regulating certain network elements can help decelerate the ageing process and ameliorate ageing associated disorders. Bioactive phytopeptides are a prospective avenue for anti-ageing therapeutics and rejuvenation biotechnology. The present study investigates the potential of therapeutic plant peptides against cellular senescence by targeting three key proteins in the ageing network - target of rapamycin (mTOR), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). This investigation screened a library of reported bioactive peptides using standard cheminformatic methods including in-silico ADMET, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and molecular mechanics calculation. The retrieved simulation data predict 25 diverse phytopeptides as potential safe and drug-like anti-ageing biologics with half-lives >20 h and bioavailability scores >0.40. The best docked peptide, Cycloleonuripeptide B, exhibited strong binding affinity and stable complex formation with mTOR (-17.5 kCal/mol), SIRT1 (-28.54 kCal/mol) and two active sites in AMPK (-41.8 kCal/mol; -36.0 kCal/mol) during molecular dynamics simulations. The computational study acts as a foundation for future laboratory and clinical research into the potential of repurposing therapeutic phytopeptides against cellular senescence and associated pathophysiology. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Repurposing drugs to fight aging: The difficult path from bench to bedside

The steady rise in life expectancy occurred across all developed countries during the last century. This demographic trend is, however, not accompanied by the same healthspan extension. This is since aging is the main risk factor for all age-associated pathological conditions. Therefore, slowing the rate of aging is suggested to be more efficient in preventing or delaying age-related diseases than treat them one by one, which is the common approach in a current pharmacological disease-oriented paradigm. To date, a variety of medications designed to treat particular pathological conditions have been shown to exhibit pro-longevity effects in different experimental models. Among them, there are many commonly used prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals such as metformin, rapamycin, aspirin, statins, melatonin, vitamin antioxidants, etc. All of them are being increasingly investigated in preclinical and clinical trials with the aim of determine whether they have potential for extension of human healthspan. The results from these trials are frequently inconclusive and fall short of initial expectations, suggesting that innovative research ideas and additional translational steps are required to overcome obstacles for implementation of such approaches in clinical practice. In this review, recent advances and challenges in the field of repurposing widely used conventional pharmaceuticals to target the aging process are summarized and discussed.

Gerobiotics: probiotics targeting fundamental aging processes

Aging is recognized as a common risk factor for many chronic diseases and functional decline. The newly emerging field of geroscience is an interdisciplinary field that aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging. Several fundamental biological processes have been proposed as hallmarks of aging. The proposition of the geroscience hypothesis is that targeting holistically these highly integrated hallmarks could be an effective approach to preventing the pathogenesis of age-related diseases jointly, thereby improving the health span of most individuals. There is a growing awareness concerning the benefits of the prophylactic use of probiotics in maintaining health and improving quality of life in the elderly population. In view of the rapid progress in geroscience research, a new emphasis on geroscience-based probiotics is in high demand, and such probiotics require extensive preclinical and clinical research to support their functional efficacy. Here we propose a new term, "gerobiotics", to define those probiotic strains and their derived postbiotics and para-probiotics that are able to beneficially attenuate the fundamental mechanisms of aging, reduce physiological aging processes, and thereby expand the health span of the host. We provide a thorough discussion of why the coining of a new term is warranted instead of just referring to these probiotics as anti-aging probiotics or with other similar terms. In this review, we highlight the needs and importance of the new field of gerobiotics, past and currently on-going research and development in the field, biomarkers for potential targets, and recommended steps for the development of gerobiotic products. Use of gerobiotics could be a promising intervention strategy to improve health span and longevity of humans in the future.

A natural product solution to aging and aging-associated diseases

Aging is a natural biological progress accompanied by the gradual decline in physiological functions, manifested by its close association with an increased incidence of human diseases and higher vulnerability to death. Those diseases include neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, many of which are currently without effective cures. Even though aging is inevitable, there are still interventions that can be developed to prevent/delay the onset and progression of those aging-associated diseases and extend healthspan and/or lifespan. Here, we review decades of research that reveals the molecular pathways underlying aging and forms the biochemical basis for anti-aging drug development. Importantly, due to the vast chemical space of natural products and the rich history of herb medicines in treating human diseases documented in different cultures, natural products have played essential roles in aging research. Using several of the most promising natural products and their derivatives as examples, we discuss how natural products serve as an inspiration resource that helped the identification of key components/pathways underlying aging, their mechanisms of action inside the cell, and the functional scaffolds or targeting mechanisms that can be learned from natural products for drug engineering and optimization. We argue that natural products might eventually provide a solution to aging and aging-associated diseases.

Improving retinal mitochondrial function as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Currently, there are no treatments for dry AMD, which is characterized by the death of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. Reports from human donors with AMD suggest that RPE mitochondrial defects are a key event in AMD pathology. Thus, the most effective strategy for treating dry AMD is to identify compounds that enhance mitochondrial function and subsequently, preserve the RPE. In this study, primary cultures of RPE from human donors with (n = 20) or without (n = 8) AMD were used to evaluate compounds that are designed to protect mitochondria from oxidative damage (N-acetyl-l-cysteine; NAC), remove damaged mitochondria (Rapamycin), increase mitochondrial biogenesis (Pyrroloquinoline quinone; PQQ), and improve oxidative phosphorylation (Nicotinamide mononucleotide, NMN). Mitochondrial function measured after drug treatments showed an AMD-dependent response; only RPE from donors with AMD showed improvements. All four drugs caused a significant increase in maximal respiration (p < 0.05) compared to untreated controls. Treatment with Rapamycin, PQQ, or NMN significantly increased ATP production (p < 0.05). Only Rapamycin increased basal respiration (p < 0.05). Notably, robust responses were observed in only about 50% of AMD donors, with attenuated responses observed in the remaining AMD donors. Further, within the responders, individual donors exhibited a distinct reaction to each drug. Our results suggest drugs targeting pathways involved in maintaining healthy mitochondria can improve mitochondrial function in a select population of RPE from AMD donors. The unique response of individual donors to specific drugs supports the need for personalized medicine when treating AMD.

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Human primary RPE cultures were used to test the efficacy of drugs on mitochondrial function.

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Drugs targeting mitochondrial homeostasis pathways improved mitochondrial function in AMD RPE.

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The donor-specific response to drugs suggests personalized medicine is needed to treat AMD.

Unveiling the Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress on Age-Related Cardiovascular Diseases

The global population above 60 years has been growing exponentially in the last decades, which is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, highlighting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Aging is the main risk factor for these diseases. Such susceptibility to disease is explained, at least in part, by the increase of oxidative stress, in which it damages cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and lipids. In addition, the chronic inflammatory process in aging “inflammaging” also contributes to cell damage, creating a stressful environment which drives to the development of CVDs. Taken together, it is possible to identify the molecular connection between oxidative stress and the inflammatory process, especially by the crosstalk between the transcription factors Nrf-2 and NF-κB which are mediated by redox signalling and are involved in aging. Therapies that control this process are key targets in the prevention/combat of age-related CVDs. In this review, we show the basics of inflammation and oxidative stress, including the crosstalk between them, and the implications on age-related CVDs.

The dynamic nature of ageing: novel findings, therapeutic avenues and medical interventions

Ageing is one of the most complex and difficult problems for humans to face and for science to solve. Although human senescence was viewed as a passive and uncontrollable process of deteriora­tion over time with little or no genetic regulation, the concept that ageing is caused by both genetic and environmental factors is now generally accepted, even though it remains difficult to distinguish between ageing sensu stricto and the effects of age-related diseases. Empirical data show that mechanisms of ageing are highly conserved during evolution. Moreover, it has been established that there are specific molecular ‘instructions’ for ageing, which suggests that a better understanding of the molecular biology of ageing will open new possibilities regarding future interventions. The complexity of ageing diminishes the possibility that any general theory will completely explain this metaphenomenon. Likewise, it is highly unlikely that any medication can stop or reverse human senescence. Nevertheless, ageing as a dynamic and malleable metaphenomenon can be modulated by a variety of influences. The concept of the shrinkage of the homeo­dynamic space with age, i.e. homeostenosis, is especially interesting and intriguing as it shows that novel therapeutic approaches and rational strategies can help delay the onset of the ageing-associated pathologies by enhancing the homeodynamic capabilities of the body. The aim of this article is to present current data from evolutionary and molecular gerontology and discuss them within the ambit of this review which is devoted to the dynamic, emergent and plastic nature of human ageing and implications for future inter­ventions.

Perspectives of Homo sapiens lifespan extension: focus on external or internal resources?

Homo sapiens and naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are vivid examples of social mammals that differ from their relatives in particular by an increased lifespan and a large number of neotenic features. An important fact for biogerontology is that the mortality rate of H. glaber (a maximal lifespan of more than 32 years, which is very large for such a small rodent) negligibly grows with age. The same is true for modern people in developed countries below the age of 60. It is important that the juvenilization of traits that separate humans from chimpanzees evolved over thousands of generations and millions of years. Rapid advances in technology resulted in a sharp increase in the life expectancy of human beings during the past 100 years. Currently, the human life expectancy has exceeded 80 years in developed countries. It cannot be excluded that the potential for increasing life expectancy by an improvement in living conditions will be exhausted after a certain period of time. New types of geroprotectors should be developed that protect not only from chronic phenoptosis gradual poisoning of the body with reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also from acute phenoptosis, where strong increase in the level of ROS immediately kills an already aged individual. Geroprotectors might be another anti-aging strategy along with neoteny (a natural physiological phenomenon) and technical progress.

Rapamycin Is Not Protective against Ischemic and Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury

Autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Although autophagy activation was shown to be associated with an increased lifespan and beneficial effects in various pathologies, the impact of autophagy activators, particularly, rapamycin and its analogues on AKI remains obscure. In our study, we explored the effects of rapamycin treatment in in vivo and in vitro models of ischemic and cisplatin-induced AKI. The impact of rapamycin on the kidney function after renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or exposure to the nephrotoxic agent cisplatin was assessed by quantifying blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine and evaluating the content of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, a novel biomarker of AKI. In vitro experiments were performed on the primary culture of renal tubular cells (RTCs) that were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) or incubated with cisplatin under various rapamycin treatment protocols. Cell viability and proliferation were estimated by the MTT assay and real-time cell analysis using an RTCA iCELLigence system. Although rapamycin inhibited mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling, it failed to enhance the autophagy and to ameliorate the severity of AKI caused by ischemia or cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Experiments with RTCs demonstrated that rapamycin exhibited the anti-proliferative effect in primary RTCs cultures but did not protect renal cells exposed to OGD or cisplatin. Our study revealed for the first time that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin did not prevent AKI caused by renal I/R or cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and, therefore, cannot be considered as an ideal mimetic of the autophagy-associated nephroprotective mechanisms (e.g., those induced by caloric restriction), as it had been suggested earlier. The protective action of such approaches like caloric restriction might not be limited to mTOR inhibition and can proceed through more complex mechanisms involving alternative autophagy-related targets. Thus, the use of rapamycin and its analogues for the treatment of various AKI forms requires further studies in order to understand potential protective or adverse effects of these compounds in different contexts.

Disease or not, aging is easily treatable

Is aging a disease? It does not matter because aging is already treated using a combination of several clinically-available drugs, including rapamycin. Whether aging is a disease depends on arbitrary definitions of both disease and aging. For treatment purposes, aging is a deadly disease (or more generally, pre-disease), despite being a normal continuation of normal organismal growth. It must and, importantly, can be successfully treated, thereby delaying classic age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and neurodegeneration.

Protein synthesis and quality control in aging

Aging is characterized by the accumulation of damage and other deleterious changes, leading to the loss of functionality and fitness. Age-related changes occur at most levels of organization of a living organism (molecular, organellar, cellular, tissue and organ). However, protein synthesis is a major biological process, and thus understanding how it changes with age is of paramount importance. Here, we discuss the relationships between lifespan, aging, protein synthesis and translational control, and expand this analysis to the various aspects of proteome behavior in organisms with age. Characterizing the consequences of changes in protein synthesis and translation fidelity, and determining whether altered translation is pathological or adaptive is necessary for understanding the aging process, as well as for developing approaches to target dysfunction in translation as a strategy for extending lifespan.

Aging: therapeutics for a healthy future

Increased healthcare and pharmaceutical understanding has led to the eradication of many childhood, infectious and preventable diseases; however, we are now experiencing the impact of aging disorders as the lifespan increases. These disorders have already become a major burden on society and threaten to become a defining challenge of our generation. Indications such as Alzheimer's disease gain headlines and have focused the thinking of many towards dementia and cognitive decline in aging. Indications related to neurological function and related behaviors are thus an extremely important starting point in the consideration of therapeutics.However, the reality is that pathological aging covers a spectrum of significant neurological and peripheral indications. Development of therapeutics to treat aging and age-related disorders is therefore a huge need, but represents a largely unexplored path. Fundamental scientific questions need to be considered as we embark towards a goal of improving health in old age, including how we 1) define aging as a therapeutic target, 2) model aging preclinically and 3) effectively translate from preclinical models to man. Furthermore, the challenges associated with identifying novel therapeutics in a financial, regulatory and clinical sense need to be contemplated carefully to ensure we address the unmet need in our increasingly elderly population. The complexity of the challenge requires different perspectives, cross-functional partnerships and diverse concepts. We seek to raise issues to guide the field, considering the current state of thinking to aid in identifying roadblocks and important challenges early. The need for therapeutics that address aging and age-related disorders is acute, but the promise of effective treatments provides huge opportunities that, as a community, we all seek to enable effectively as soon as possible.

Human ageing as a dynamic, emergent and malleable process: from disease-oriented to health-oriented approaches

Over the decades, biogerontology has matured as a scientific discipline. Currently, a number of theoretical frameworks are available to researchers when interpreting empirical data. Despite the great progress that has been made, a comprehensive understanding of biological processes that shape ageing is lacking. Senescence is a dynamic, plastic and highly complex metaphenomenon whose aetiology remains unclear. The paucity of information notwithstanding, some researchers promote ‘anti-ageing’ drugs and formulae every now and again. The rationale behind this concept is that ageing can be reduced to a mixture of biochemical reactions. Furthermore, the distinction between ageing and disease has been questioned on the grounds that ageing is the root of age-related diseases. It has been claimed that disease-oriented approaches can help delay ageing and prevent age-related diseases. Although these methods seem incongruous from an evolutionary standpoint, they become popular amongst the public. Moreover, if ageing is classified as a disease, this situation is likely to be exacerbated. Therefore, it is important to recognise the limitations of these reductionist and disease-oriented approaches. Only holistic and evidence-based strategies might be useful in slowing down ageing and preventing age-related diseases in the future.

Rapamycin for longevity: opinion article

From the dawn of civilization, humanity has dreamed of immortality. So why didn't the discovery of the anti-aging properties of mTOR inhibitors change the world forever? I will discuss several reasons, including fear of the actual and fictional side effects of rapamycin, everolimus and other clinically-approved drugs, arguing that no real side effects preclude their use as anti-aging drugs today. Furthermore, the alternative to the reversible (and avoidable) side effects of rapamycin/everolimus are the irreversible (and inevitable) effects of aging: cancer, stroke, infarction, blindness and premature death. I will also discuss why it is more dangerous not to use anti-aging drugs than to use them and how rapamycin-based drug combinations have already been implemented for potential life extension in humans. If you read this article from the very beginning to its end, you may realize that the time is now.

Health Benefits of Anti-aging Drugs

Aging, as a physiological process mediated by numerous regulatory pathways and transcription factors, is manifested by continuous progressive functional decline and increasing risk of chronic diseases. There is an increasing interest to identify pharmacological agents for treatment and prevention of age-related disease in humans. Animal models play an important role in identification and testing of anti-aging compounds; this step is crucial before the drug will enter human clinical trial or will be introduced to human medicine. One of the main goals of animal studies is better understanding of mechanistic targets, therapeutic implications and side-effects of the drug, which may be later translated into humans. In this chapter, we summarized the effects of different drugs reported to extend the lifespan in model organisms from round worms to rodents. Resveratrol, rapamycin, metformin and aspirin, showing effectiveness in model organism life- and healthspan extension mainly target the master regulators of aging such as mTOR, FOXO and PGC1α, affecting autophagy, inflammation and oxidative stress. In humans, these drugs were demonstrated to reduce inflammation, prevent CVD, and slow down the functional decline in certain organs. Additionally, potential anti-aging pharmacologic agents inhibit cancerogenesis, interfering with certain aspects of cell metabolism, proliferation, angioneogenesis and apoptosis.

Immunity and longevity

The role of immune system is to protect the organism from the not built-in program-like alterations inside and against the agents penetrating from outside (bacteria, viruses, and protozoa). These functions were developed and formed during the evolution. Considering these functions, the immune system promotes the lengthening of lifespan and helps longevity. However, some immune functions have been conveyed by men to medical tools (e.g., pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, and prevention), especially in our modern age, which help the struggle against microbes, but evolutionarily weaken the immune system. Aging is a gradual slow attrition by autoimmunity, directed by the thymus and regulated by the central nervous system and pineal gland. Considering this, thymus could be a pacemaker of aging. The remodeling of the immune system, which can be observed in elderly people and centenarians, is probably not a cause of aging, but a consequence of it, which helps to suit immunity to the requirements. Oxidative stress also helps the attrition of the immune cells and antioxidants help to prolong lifespan. There are gender differences in the aging of the immune system as well as in the longevity. There is an advantage for women in both cases. This can be explained by hormonal differences (estrogens positively influences both processes); however, social factors are also not excluded. The endocrine disruptor chemicals act similar to estrogens, like stimulating or suppressing immunity and provoking autoimmunity; however, their role in longevity is controversial. There are some drugs (rapamycin, metformin, and selegiline) and antioxidants (as vitamins C and E) that prolong lifespan and also improve immunity. It is difficult to declare that longevity is exclusively dependent on the state of the immune system; however, there is a parallelism between the state of immune system and lifespan. It seems likely that there is not a real decline of immunity during aging, but there is a remodeling of the system according to the claims of senescence. This is manifested in the remaining (sometimes stronger) function of memory cells in contrast to the production and number of the new antigen-reactive naive T-cells.

Individual response to mTOR inhibition in delaying replicative senescence of mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND AIMS

Delaying replicative senescence and extending lifespan of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may enhance their potential for tissue engineering and cell based therapies. Accumulating evidence suggests that inhibitors of the mTOR signaling pathway, such as rapamycin, constitute promising pharmacological agents to retard senescence and extend stemness properties of various progenitor cell types. Here, we investigated whether the ability of rapamycin to postpone replicative senescence varies among bone marrow MSC samples (BM-MSCs) derived from different healthy donors, and explored the molecular mechanisms that drive rapamycin-mediated lifespan increment.

METHODS

BM-MSCs at early passages were serially passaged either in absence or continuous presence of rapamycin and the number of cell population doublings until growth arrest was measured. The inhibition of mTOR signaling was assessed by the phosphorylation status of the downstream target RPS6. The expression levels of several senescence and pluripotency markers at early and late/senescent passages were analyzed by RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and western blot.

RESULTS

We found that the lifespan extension in response to the continuous rapamycin treatment was highly variable among samples, but effective in most BM-MSCs. Despite all rapamycin-treated cells secreted significantly reduced levels of IL6, a major SASP cytokine, and expressed significantly higher levels of the pluripotency marker NANOG, the expression patterns of these markers were not correlated with the rapamycin-mediated increase in lifespan. Interestingly, rapamycin-mediated life-span extension was significantly associated only with repression of p16INK4A protein accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results suggest that some, but not all, BM-MSC samples would benefit from using rapamycin to postpone replicative arrest and reinforce a critical role of p16INK4A protein downregulation in this process.

Pairwise combinations of chemical compounds that delay yeast chronological aging through different signaling pathways display synergistic effects on the extent of aging delay

We have recently discovered six plant extracts that delay yeast chronological aging. Most of them affect different nodes, edges and modules of an evolutionarily conserved network of longevity regulation that integrates certain signaling pathways and protein kinases; this network is also under control of such aging-delaying chemical compounds as spermidine and resveratrol. We have previously shown that, if a strain carrying an aging-delaying single-gene mutation affecting a certain node, edge or module of the network is exposed to some of the six plant extracts, the mutation and the plant extract enhance aging-delaying efficiencies of each other so that their combination has a synergistic effect on the extent of aging delay. We therefore hypothesized that a pairwise combination of two aging-delaying plant extracts or a combination of one of these plant extracts and spermidine or resveratrol may have a synergistic effect on the extent of aging delay only if each component of this combination targets a different element of the network. To test our hypothesis, we assessed longevity-extending efficiencies of all possible pairwise combinations of the six plant extracts or of one of them and spermidine or resveratrol in chronologically aging yeast. In support of our hypothesis, we show that only pairwise combinations of naturally-occurring chemical compounds that slow aging through different nodes, edges and modules of the network delay aging in a synergistic manner.

Obesity Paradox in Caucasian Seniors: Results of the PolSenior Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of overweight and obesity on general performance and mortality in seniors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional multidisciplinary study on ageing of the Polish population.

SETTING

Community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years or older, selected using three-stage stratified, proportional draw.

PARTICIPANTS

4944 Polish Caucasian seniors, aged 65 years or older recruited between October 2007 and October 2010.

MEASUREMENTS

All study subjects underwent measurement of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and arm circumference (AC). The physical and cognitive performance was evaluated using the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. Morbidity data were obtained from a medical questionnaire. Mortality data were obtained from the Population Register of Poland between October 2015 and October 2018.

RESULTS

Increasing age was associated with a decreased prevalence of obesity (all p<0.001). Higher BMI, WC and AC values were associated with higher ADL and MMSE scores (all p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, all three body measurements in women remained independent predictors of the ADL score (BMI p=0.002, WC p=0.005, AC p<0.001) and MMSE score (p<0.001, p=0.003, p<0.001). In men, physical functioning was associated with AC (p=0.003), and cognitive status was associated with AC (p<0.001) and BMI (p=0.013). There was no association between general obesity, abdominal obesity, or AC with several aging-related adverse conditions. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that overweight and obesity were associated with the lowest mortality. On multivariate analysis, BMI and AC values remained independent predictors of mortality. In successfully aging individuals, neither BMI, WC, nor AC remained such predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight and obesity in Caucasian seniors are not associated with deterioration of physical and cognitive function or with increased mortality.

A Clinical Trial Using Methylation Age to Evaluate Current Antiaging Practices

Recent advances in the technology of "aging clocks" based on DNA methylation suggest that it may be possible to measure changes in the rate of human aging over periods as short as a year or two. To the extent that methylation (and other biomarkers) are valid surrogates for biological age, the testing of antiaging interventions has thus become radically cheaper, faster, and more practical. Together with colleagues at UCLA, I have initiated a clinical trial to evaluate some of the most popular antiaging strategies currently deployed by "early adopters" in the lay community of personal health activists. We are recruiting 5000 subjects, age 45-65, and interviewing them in detail about their diet, drugs and supplements, exercise, social, and other practices that plausibly contribute to modulate the rate of aging. They agree to submit blood samples for analysis of methylation age at the beginning, middle, and end of a 2-year test period. Primary endpoint is the difference in methylation age over the course of 2 years. We are in the process of developing a specialized clock, optimized for individual differences over time. Results will be viewed as an exploratory study to identify synergistic combinations of age-retarding treatments. It is our expectation that there is a great deal of redundancy in the strategies that have been researched and promoted to the aware public; thus, most combinations can retard the rate of aging by only a few percent, consistent with the best known single measures. However, we hope that among the many strategies that our subjects have adopted, there will be some combinations that synergize and achieve age retardation by ≥25% or more. A mock-up analysis of computer-generated data has been performed to fix parameters of the study, and confirm that such combinations will be able to be detected with good probability, should they exist. All data (redacted for privacy) will be open sourced, available to the scientific community and to the public.

Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of "senolytic" drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts

Here, we employed a "senolytic" assay system as a screening tool, with the goal of identifying and repurposing FDA-approved antibiotics, for the targeting of the senescent cell population. Briefly, we used two established human fibroblast cell lines (MRC-5 and/or BJ) as model systems to induce senescence, via chronic treatment with a DNA-damaging agent, namely BrdU (at a concentration of 100 μM for 8 days). Cell viability was then monitored by using the SRB assay, to measure protein content. As a consequence of this streamlined screening strategy, we identified Azithromycin and Roxithromycin as two novel clinically-approved senolytic drugs. However, Erythromycin - the very closely-related parent compound - did not show any senolytic activity, highlighting the dramatic specificity of these interactions. Interestingly, we also show that Azithromycin treatment of human fibroblasts was indeed sufficient to strongly induce both aerobic glycolysis and autophagy. However, the effects of Azithromycin on mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates (OCR) were bi-phasic, showing inhibitory activity at 50 μM and stimulatory activity at 100 μM. These autophagic/metabolic changes induced by Azithromycin could mechanistically explain its senolytic activity. We also independently validated our findings using the xCELLigence real-time assay system, which measures electrical impedance. Using this approach, we see that Azithromycin preferentially targets senescent cells, removing approximately 97% of them with great efficiency. This represents a near 25-fold reduction in senescent cells. Finally, we also discuss our current results in the context of previous clinical findings that specifically document the anti-inflammatory activity of Azithromycin in patients with cystic fibrosis - a genetic lung disorder that results in protein mis-folding mutations that cause protein aggregation.