Urolithin A: Promising Anti-Aging Compound Reduces Inflammation and Extends Lifespan
January 14, 2025The findings highlight Urolithin A's ability to suppress the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, healthy fibroblasts exposed to media from senescent cells treated with Urolithin A exhibited decreased paracrine senescence, indicating reduced harmful effects on neighboring cells.
The mechanism behind Urolithin A's effects includes a reduction in cytosolic DNA associated with inflammation, potentially through the induction of mitophagy.
A recent preprint study from the Lifespan Research Institute and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging has demonstrated that Urolithin A can significantly reduce senescence-related markers in human fibroblasts.
In this study, researchers induced senescence in human fetal lung fibroblasts using doxorubicin and replicative division, discovering that Urolithin A effectively reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-8.
Urolithin A, produced by gut bacteria from dietary precursors, has shown promise in extending healthspan and lifespan, with studies indicating a 19% lifespan increase in mice.
Dr. Julie Andersen emphasizes the potential of Urolithin A as an anti-aging therapeutic, particularly for chronic diseases linked to inflammation.
Despite its promise, it is important to note that only 40% of individuals can effectively metabolize Urolithin A from natural sources, highlighting the need for more human studies to validate its effects.
Current strategies to combat cellular senescence include senolytics, which aim to clear senescent cells, and senomorphics, which seek to modify them to reduce their detrimental effects.
Cellular senescence is a critical aspect of aging, characterized by the accumulation of senescent cells that can lead to chronic inflammation, a phenomenon known as inflammaging.
Overall, these findings provide a deeper understanding of how Urolithin A may combat age-related inflammation, paving the way for further research into targeted interventions against inflammaging.
Summary based on 1 source
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Source
Lifespan Extension Advocacy Foundation • Jan 14, 2025
A Gut Metabolite Reduces Senescence and Inflammation