Aging & Longevity

Transposable elements (TEs) are indispensable components of eukaryotic genomes, mechanistically linked to carcinogenesis, aging and other degenerative diseases. The ability of TEs to self-propagate and cause deletions, inversions or insertions within the genome poses a real threat to the fidelity of genomic integrity. This review discusses the fundamental properties of TEs, with a focus on cellular interactions associated with mechanisms involved in recombination, replication, and DNA repair....

Senescent cells display indefinite growth arrest and a pro-inflammatory, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). As the accumulation of senescent cells in tissues with age plays detrimental roles in age-related pathologies, there is much interest in finding therapeutic strategies to eliminate them or suppress the SASP. In this study, we investigated the impact of the secretome and extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) on senescent human...

Spaceflight exposes astronauts to a combination of environmental stressors such as microgravity, ionizing radiation, circadian disruption, and social isolation that induce phenotypes of aging. However, whether these exposures accelerate biological aging remains unclear. In this exploratory study, we assessed 32 DNA methylation-based biological age metrics in 4 astronauts during the Axiom-2 mission at pre-flight, in-flight (day 4 and 7), and post-flight (return days 1 and 7). On average,...

With an aging population, the incidence of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) continues to increase. Aging cells exhibit reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD^(+)) levels and impaired autophagy; however, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain largely unclear. In our study, we assessed the role of nicotinamide nucleotide adenylate transferase 1 (NMNAT1) in cochlear hair cell aging using D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging HEI-OC1 cells and cochlear explants. We observed a...

With the increasing trend of delayed childbearing, the decline in oocyte quality associated with advanced maternal age has emerged as a pressing concern. However, the mechanism remains unclear, and effective strategies for improvement are currently lacking. Previously, we reported that the downregulation of the mevalonate pathway in aged granulosa cells (GCs) contributed to meiotic defects in oocytes, which may implicate farnesyl pyrophosphate-mediated protein farnesylation. Nevertheless, the...

CONCLUSION: This review provides a comprehensive comparison of dual-task and single-task interventions, highlighting the superior efficacy of dual-task training in improving both cognitive and physical outcomes. While single-task interventions offer benefits, they lack the comprehensive improvements observed in dual-task training. Future research should explore long-term outcomes, refine intervention protocols, and assess the applicability of combined approaches to maximize benefits for aging...

Aging drives a progressive decline in vascular health, undermining endothelial function, neurovascular coupling (NVC), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, three processes essential for maintaining cerebral perfusion and cognitive resilience. Central to these age-related deficits is mitochondrial dysfunction, which disrupts redox balance, bioenergetics, and nutrient-sensing pathways within vascular cells, thereby promoting oxidative stress, impaired mitophagy, mitochondrial fragmentation,...

As individuals age, there is a gradual increase in the levels of inflammation in the body, with macrophages, essential immune cell types, assuming a critical role in modulating inflammatory responses and eliminating senescent cells. Prolonged inflammatory reactions can result in tissue damage, the advancement of diseases, and the acceleration of aging processes. Hevin (also known as SPARCL1, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine-like protein 1) is involved in regulating inflammatory...

The gut microbiota changes throughout life, potentially influencing health and triggering physiological disorders. Frailty syndrome (FS) is an age-related condition that reduces quality of life and increases hospitalization and mortality risks, making early detection and prevention essential in older populations. This study analyzed 16S rRNA gene and metagenomics sequencing of fecal samples from 203 older adults (FS: n = 64, non-FS (NFS): n = 139) to assess the role of gut microbiota in FS and...

CONCLUSIONS: Extreme obesity is rising disproportionately, including among older adults, and requires urgent recognition as a distinct public health challenge. Healthcare systems must adapt to the complex needs of this population, including appropriate medical infrastructure, specialized care pathways, and enhanced clinical guidelines. Ongoing surveillance and tailored interventions are essential to address this growing burden.

The gastrointestinal (GI) barrier maintains gut homeostasis by regulating nutrient absorption and preventing the entry of harmful agents. While its disruption has been linked to chronic disease, stress and dietary lifestyle, the role of aging in intestinal permeability remains subject of debate. Understanding how aging and age-associated inflammation affect barrier integrity is crucial for promoting GI health in the elderly. In this study, we used the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 (SAMP8)...

CONCLUSIONS: Connected Care for Older Adults incorporates CHWs in primary care settings to deliver age-friendly care to rural, underserved adults 55 and older. Early findings and feedback from participating patients, caregivers, providers, and CHWs suggest that this is a promising approach to delivering age-friendly care.

The Reducing Inflammation for Greater Health Trial's (RIGHT) study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to test whether clazkizumab, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor, can improve or slow decline in physical, cognitive, and vascular function in older adults, when compared to a placebo. The trial will enroll participants meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) ≥ 70 years of age, (2) with low to moderate physical function, defined as self-reported...

Older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be at a greater risk of cognitive impairment than older adults without SCD (i.e., non-SCD). This study examined dual-task changes in cerebral oxygenation and performance to determine whether these changes may be used as a biomarker in older adults with SCD. Older adults with (n = 24) and without SCD (n = 18) completed neuropsychological assessments and finger tapping and working memory dual-tasks. Cognitive and motor performance were...

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a gradual loss of neurons, cellular dysfunction, loss of intricate synaptic networks and brain damage, which are going to be the second leading cause of death in future. These proteinopathies are marked by abnormal amyloid fibril deposition, aberrant aggregation of misfolded proteins via polymerization, where protein aggregates serve as key pathological hallmarks in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple system atrophy disorders. These toxic...

Senescence of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in degenerative intervertebral discs is related to the development and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The aim of this study was to establish a reliable and robust cell senescent model using D-galactose (D-Gal) to induce oxidative stress in NPCs. NPCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats and incubated with increasing concentrations of D-Gal. Cell viability, cell cycle, senescence-associated makers, and extracellular matrix...

The mass of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) decreases with age, and its dysfunction contributes to systemic effects, including chronic inflammation, ectopic lipid deposition, and insulin resistance. However, the molecular and functional characteristics of aged adipose progenitor cells (APCs), as well as effective strategies to rejuvenate their adipogenic potential, remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that aged mice exhibited a reduced frequency of APCs, increased inflammatory...

CONCLUSIONS: Hand exercises enhance motor and functional ability, while cognitive exercises supports cognitive performance and MMDTP.

Age-related declines in skeletal muscle health are a major contributor to reduced mobility and development of sarcopenia in the elderly, yet effective interventions to prevent or reverse these declines are not fully optimized. Nutritional strategies to support muscle health in aging populations may be beneficial for improving muscle strength and function. In this study, we explored the effects of astaxanthin (AX), a naturally occurring antioxidant, on aged human muscle progenitor cells (hMPCs)....

Hair loss presents a widespread clinical and psychological challenge, yet conventional pharmacological treatments often incur systemic side effects such as hormonal imbalance and mood disturbances. To provide a non-pharmacological alternative, a wearable textile-integrated near-infrared (NIR) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) platform was developed with emission closely aligned with the action spectrum of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). By employing a top-emitting microcavity structure, we...