Fountain of Youth in Bile? Longevity Molecule Identified

Published in the journal Aging, a new study is the first to identify the role of a bile acid, called lithocholic acid (LCA), in extending the lifespan of normally aging yeast. The findings may have significant implications for human longevity and health, as yeast share some common elements with people.

Our findings imply that LCA extends longevity by targeting two different mechanisms. Regardless of their triggers both of these mechanisms work to suppress the pro-aging process.

"We do know from previous studies, however, that bile acids are beneficial to health and longevity. For example, they have shown to accumulate in the serum of long living mice and play a role in improving rodent liver and pancreatic function."

"This leads us to believe that bile acids have potential as pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and various metabolic disorders, all of which are age-related," continues Titorenko.

Original Papers:

Alexander A. Goldberg, Vincent R. Richard, Pavlo Kyryakov, Simon D. Bourque, Adam Beach, Michelle T. Burstein, Anastasia Glebov, Olivia Koupaki, Tatiana Boukh‐Viner, Christopher Gregg, Mylène Juneau, Ann M. English, Vladimir I. Titorenko and David Y. Thomas. Chemical genetic screen identifies lithocholic acid as an anti‐aging compound that extends yeast chronological life span in a TOR independent manner, by modulating housekeeping longevity assurance processes. Aging, 2010; 2 (7): 393 [link]

Alexander A. Goldberg, Pavlo Kyryakov, Simon D. Bourque and Vladimir I. Titorenko. Xenohormetic, hormetic and cytostatic selective forces driving longevity at the ecosystemic level. Aging, 2010; 2 (8): 461-470 [link]

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915100935.htm