Scientists are investigating an unusual biological compound that may influence how the body and brain age.The Fountain of Youth may be a legend, but the search for ways to slow aging is very real. Scientists are actively exploring how to protect the body and brain over time, and a new study points to an unexpected candidate. Researchers have found that adding compounds from sea squirts to the diet can reverse several key signs of aging in animals.
In a recent study, scientists from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Stanford University, Shanghai Jiao tong University, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences tested compounds called plasmalogens, which are abundant in sea squirts, a type of ocean-dwelling invertebrate.
These molecules are not exotic to the human body. In fact, about 1 in 5 phospholipids in human tissues are plasmalogens, with especially high levels in the brain, heart, and immune cells. However, these levels steadily decline with age and are known to be lower in people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
To test whether boosting plasmalogen levels could reverse age-related changes, researchers carried out a two-month study in older female mice, roughly comparable to humans in late middle age. The mice were given daily doses of plasmalogens throughout the experiment. By the end of the trial, the results showed clear and significant improvements.
