Domestic researchers have discovered gut microorganisms that can delay aging and are effective against age-related diseases. They also created an index that quantitatively assesses changes in healthy lifespan based on these microorganisms.
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced on the 9th that a research team led by Professor Ryu Dong-ryul from the Department of Biomedical Engineering has clarified the positive effects of gut microorganisms in delaying aging through a joint study with Professor Lee Hyun-seung's team from the Endocrinology Department at Chonnam National University Hospital, Professor Choi Dong-wook's team from Korea University, HEM Pharma, and researchers from Amorepacific Corporation.
The research team confirmed that "3-phenylactic acid (PLA)," a metabolic product produced by gut symbiotic microorganisms, plays a crucial role in enhancing mitochondrial homeostasis and improving aging-related diseases such as sarcopenia.
Mitochondria act like power plants in the body, producing and supplying bioenergy. As one ages, the function of mitochondria declines. Most diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, mental illnesses, diabetes, and cancer, are related to mitochondrial dysfunction. To slow down the aging process of the body, the regeneration of cellular organelles like mitochondria is essential.
The research team stated that they succeeded in partially restoring mitochondrial homeostasis merely by appropriately supplying PLA. The PLA administration group showed specific figures indicating enhanced mitochondrial homeostasis, with oxygen consumption increasing by 1.5 times and ATP production increasing by 1.8 times.
The researchers noted that activating mitochondria through PLA increased stress resistance and also extended healthy lifespan. Healthy lifespan refers to the period of living without illness and in good health. It is the lifespan excluding the time spent with diseases or disabilities from the life expectancy. The research team also developed a Healthy Aging Index (HAI) that can objectively assess healthy lifespan.
Professor Ryu Dong-ryul said, “This study is the first to show that metabolic products produced by gut symbiotic microorganisms can play a vital role in improving aging-related diseases, particularly muscle aging conditions like sarcopenia,” adding, “The Healthy Aging Index is expected to serve as an essential metric for developing drugs that can help live longer without simply extending lifespan at the expense of quality of life.”
References
Nature Communications (2024), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55015-1