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Researchers have discovered that sphingolipid accumulation is a new mechanism
that affects aging.
Ceramide is the most well-known class of sphingolipids, which accumulate in the muscles of the elderly, impairing their function, and also affecting the functional capacity
of the elderly.
These findings encourage researchers to develop potential drug formulations
.
A study by the University of Helsinki and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne found that during aging, ceramides, a fat molecule called sphingolipids, begin to accumulate in muscles, impairing their function
.
Ceramides play an important role as a protective structure for the skin and are used in
skin care products.
However, until now, their significance in the aging process has been unclear
.
As people age, the amount of muscle tissue usually decreases and their functional capacity decreases
.
In the current study, the researchers observed that the amount of ceramides and other sphingolipid molecules in muscle tissue increased
as humans aged.
Because sphingolipids are messengers inside cells, this makes a difference
.
"The link between sphingolipids and aging and its associated diseases is a broad and fascinating topic because they mediate a range of tasks in cells, including cell division and differentiation, and insulin signaling," said
Pirkka-Pekka Laurila, MD.
The study was published in December in
the journal Natural Aging.
First, the researchers investigated whether inhibiting ceramide production in cells could prevent sarcopenia, or the muscle loss
associated with aging.
They injected senescent mice with myriocin, a drug known to inhibit ceramide production
.
Myriocin slowed down the mice's sarcopenia, maintained their muscle strength, and improved their balance and running ability
.
Studies have found that this effect is related
to muscle stem cell function.
Normally, the number of stem cells in muscle decreases
with age.
"We found that when ceramide production was inhibited, the number of muscle stem cells and their functional capacity were better preserved," said
Professor Johan Auwerx.
In mice that received myriocin, stem cells differentiated more efficiently into mature muscle fibers, increasing the number of
white muscle fibers that maintained muscle strength and speed.
Finally, the researchers wanted to investigate whether inhibiting ceramide synthesis could also prevent muscle loss
in humans.
They used thousands of samples
collected from Helsinki residents aged 70 to 80 from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study.
The researchers found that 25 percent of the subjects had a genetic variant that had the same effect as myriocin that reduced ceramide production
in muscle.
"These older adults, who have a genetic mechanism that reduces ceramide synthesis in muscle tissue, are healthier than their age, manifested by increased grip strength and the ability to walk long distances and get up from
chairs.
" Professor Jari Lahti of the University of Helsinki said he was involved in the Helsinki birth cohort study, led by Professor Johan Eriksson, "which led us to conclude that drugs that inhibit sphingolipid production may be worth testing
in humans.
" ”
This study opens up a new line of research for the role of ceramides and other sphingolipids in the aging process and encourages the development of potential therapeutic strategies
involving human sphingolipids.
Original:
Sphingolipids accumulate in aged muscle, and their reduction counteracts sarcopenia
