The loss of homeostasis and the general failing of physiological functions are the main character of aging in organisms, together with various degenerations and increased rates of mortality. Since there are few researches focusing on endogenous metabolic intermediates - metabolites. Jing-Dong J. Han’s team of Peking University used C. elegans as lifespan model, conducted a worm metabolite screen and then identified an eukaryote conserved metabolite, myo-inositol (MI) which extends lifespan, increases mobility and reduces fat content.
By analyzing enzymes in MI metabolic pathway, Han suggests that the longevity effect of MI is dependent on the tumor suppressor gene, daf-18 (homologous to mouse Pten), independent of its classical pathway downstream genes, akt or daf-16. MI also alters lifespan via mitophagy regulator PTEN induced kinase-1 (pink-1) and mitophagy. The effect of MI’s anti-age is proved to be conserved in mouse, indicating a conserved mechanism in mammals.
In view of the long-term safety use of MI in human as a supplement and conclusion on its anti-aging benefits extending from worms to mice through highly a conserved metabolic and signaling pathway present in human, it’s leaving us a potentiality of MI supplementation to promote healthy human aging.
References:
Shi, D., Xia, X., Cui, A. et al. The precursor of PI(3,4,5)P3 alleviates aging by activating daf-18(Pten) and independent of daf-16. Nat Commun 11, 4496 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18280-4
