Astaxanthin and meclizine extended male mouse lifespans by 12% and 8%, respectively, when started at 12 months of age. However, they had no significant effect on female mice. Other tested compounds, including fisetin and dimethyl fumarate, showed no notable impact on lifespan in either sex.
December 2023 – GeroScience
Key takeaways
- Astaxanthin’s effect on male mice: Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant and Nrf2 activator, demonstrated a significant increase in the median lifespan of male mice by 12%. This suggests its potential role in promoting longevity through mechanisms related to oxidative stress reduction and cellular health
- Meclizine’s lifespan extension in males: Meclizine, known as an mTORC1 inhibitor, showed an 8% increase in the lifespan of male mice. This highlights the importance of mTOR pathways in ageing and suggests meclizine’s potential utility in age-related health interventions
- Gender-specific responses: Interestingly, both astaxanthin and meclizine did not show a significant impact on the lifespans of female mice. This gender-specific response underscores the complexity of ageing processes and the need for tailored approaches in longevity research
- Limited impact of other compounds: The study also tested other compounds like fisetin and dimethyl fumarate, known for their health-related properties. However, these compounds did not significantly affect the lifespan of either male or female mice, indicating that their effectiveness in longevity may be limited or require different dosages and administration methods
The findings of this research highlights the potential of astaxanthin and meclizine in male-specific ageing interventions. However, their ineffectiveness in females and other compounds highlights the complexity and need for tailored approaches in future longevity research.
Read the article at: Harrison, D.E., et al. Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used. GeroScience (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-01011-0