New insights into extending lifespan from fruit fly and human data

The study leverages a novel cross-species data analysis approach to find potential interventions that may extend lifespan and health span in humans by analyzing metabolites known to impact aging in fruit flies. Typically, lifespan research involves testing on multiple animal models, including mice, which can be time-consuming and costly. By using data from both flies and humans, researchers from the Buck Institute identified threonine as a metabolite associated with longer, healthier lives. Their findings suggest that threonine could be a therapeutic target for aging interventions.

The study also uncovered the role of orotate, a relatively understudied metabolite linked to fat metabolism, which showed a negative correlation with lifespan in both flies and humans. This suggests orotate may counteract the positive impacts of dietary restriction, indicating that not all metabolites beneficial for one species or condition apply universally. These findings pave the way for more precise, targeted treatments aimed at healthy aging.

Researchers at the Buck Institute utilized machine learning and systems biology to analyze extensive datasets from both fruit flies and humans. Data on 120 metabolites across 160 strains of fruit flies were gathered under different dietary conditions to examine how variations in genotype influenced lifespan. Human data was then cross-referenced using the UK Biobank to identify metabolites with shared effects in both species, focusing on metabolites that correlated with lifespan extension in humans.

Metabolites: A metabolite is any molecule involved in or produced by the biochemical reactions that sustain life within an organism, collectively known as metabolism. These substances are essential in energy production, growth, and cellular repair. Metabolites can include amino acids, sugars, and lipids, each contributing to various physiological processes. In this study, specific metabolites were examined to understand their impact on lifespan and healthspan across different species.

Threonine: Threonine is an essential amino acid, meaning that it must be obtained through diet as the body cannot produce it on its own. This molecule is vital for synthesizing proteins, especially collagen and elastin, which support the structure of skin, muscles, and connective tissues. Threonine also has roles in immune function, fat metabolism, and even blood clotting, making it a versatile component in the body’s overall function. In the study, threonine was identified as a promising candidate for potentially extending lifespan and improving health outcomes.

Orotate: Orotate, or orotic acid, is a lesser-known molecule involved in nucleotide synthesis, which is the process cells use to produce the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is also linked to fat metabolism, where it plays a role in how the body stores and uses fat. This study found that orotate may negatively impact lifespan, counteracting some of the positive effects of dietary restriction, suggesting that not all metabolites promote healthy aging in the same way across species.

Geroscience: Geroscience is a field of research focused on understanding the biological mechanisms of aging and how these processes contribute to age-related diseases. It aims to identify interventions that could improve both lifespan (the number of years an organism lives) and health span (the period of life spent in good health). By targeting the root causes of aging, geroscience seeks to delay the onset of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders, ultimately extending the years of healthy living.