Urolithin A supplementation revitalises ageing blood and immune systems by enhancing mitochondrial recycling in stem cells, restoring youthful blood cell production and boosting immune defence in older adults.
August 2023 – Nature Aging
Key takeaways
- Mitochondrial recycling restores stem cell function: Urolithin A reactivates mitochondrial clearance in aged haematopoietic stem cells, reversing mitochondrial accumulation and restoring their ability to produce a balanced mix of blood and immune cells, comparable to that of young stem cells
- Dietary supplementation boosts immune defence: Long-term urolithin A intake improves immune function in older mice by enhancing lymphoid progenitor populations and increasing virus-fighting CD8+ T cells, offering greater protection against infection and restoring immune responsiveness
- Intrinsic rejuvenation without ongoing treatment: Unlike other metabolic boosters, a short urolithin A treatment delivers lasting benefits to old stem cells without continuous supplementation, suggesting its potential as a practical longevity-enhancing intervention for the ageing immune system
- Mitochondrial quality is key to ageing: The restoration of mitochondrial function, specifically through increased clearance of damaged mitochondria and improved mitochondrial biogenesis, emerges as a critical mechanism for reversing age-related functional decline in the blood and immune systems
Read the article at: Girotra, Mukul, et al. “Induction of mitochondrial recycling reverts age-associated decline of the hematopoietic and immune systems.” Nature Aging, vol. 3, 2023, pp. 1057–1066. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-023-00473-3
