Summary: Researchers have found a link between reduced oxygen intake, or ‘oxygen limitation’, and longevity in laboratory mice.
The study found that mice in an oxygen-restricted environment lived about 50% longer than normal oxygen levels. Oxygen-restricted mice also had delayed onset of age-related neurological deficits.
The research, however, did not establish the exact mechanism by which oxygen restriction extends lifespan.
Key facts:
- This is the first study to show that ‘oxygen limitation’ extends lifespan in a mammalian aging model.
- Mice in an oxygen-restricted environment were 50% taller and delayed age-related neurological deficits.
- The researchers found that oxygen restriction did not affect food intake, suggesting that other methods could extend the mice’s lifespan.
Source: PLoS
For the first time, researchers have shown that reducing oxygen intake or “oxygen threshold” is associated with longer life in laboratory mice, suggesting anti-aging potential. Robert Rogers of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, US, and colleagues They presented these findings in a study published May 23 in the journal Open Access. PLOS Biology.
Research efforts to extend healthy lifespans have identified a number of chemical compounds and other interventions that show promising effects in mammalian laboratory animals—for example, the drug metformin or dietary restriction.
Oxygen limitation has been linked to longevity in yeast, nematodes and fruit flies. However, the effect on mammals is not known.
To explore the anti-aging potential of oxygen restriction in mammals, Rogers and colleagues conducted laboratory experiments with mice that were born to age faster than other mice, showing signs of mammalian aging in their bodies.
The researchers compared the lifespan of mice living in atmospheric oxygen levels (21%) with the lifespan of mice that were moved to an environment with low oxygen levels (11% – similar) at the age of 4 weeks. Experienced at 5000m altitude).
The mice in the oxygen-restricted environment lived 50% longer than the mice on normal oxygen, with an average lifespan of 23.6 weeks compared to 15.7 weeks. Oxygen-restricted mice also had delayed aging-related neurological deficits.
Previous studies have shown that dietary restriction extends the life of the same rapidly aging mice used in this new study. So the researchers wondered whether oxygen restriction would extend the mice’s lifespan simply by making them eat more. However, they found that oxygen restriction did not affect food intake, suggesting that other mechanisms are at play.
These findings support the anti-aging potential of oxygen limitation in mammals, possibly including humans. However, extensive further research is needed to clarify its benefits and illuminate the molecular mechanisms by which it works.
Rogers added, “We observe that chronic hypoxia (11% oxygen, equivalent to that at Everest base camp) extends lifespan by 50% and delays the onset of neurodegenerative disease in a mouse model of aging.”
“While calorie restriction is a very effective and well-studied intervention for increasing lifespan and health, this is the first time that ‘oxygen restriction’ has been shown to be beneficial in a mammalian model of aging.”
So longevity research news
Author: Robert Rogers
Source: PLoS
Contact: Robert Rogers – PLOS
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News.
Preliminary study: Open Access.
“Hypoxia prolongs lifespan and neural function in a mouse model of aging” by Robert Rogers et al PLOS Biology
Draft
Hypoxia prolongs lifespan and neural function in a mouse model of aging
There is widespread interest in identifying interventions that prolong healthy life expectancy. Chronic sustained hypoxia delays the onset of proliferative senescence in cultured cells and extends lifespan in yeast, nematodes, and fruit flies.
Here, we asked whether chronic persistent hypoxia is beneficial in mammalian aging.
We used the Ercc1 D/- Accelerated Aging Mouse Model These mice are born with normal development but exhibit anatomical, physiological and biochemical abnormalities in various organs.
Importantly, they exhibit life spans extended by dietary restriction, which is a very potent aging intervention in many organisms.
We report that chronic continuous 11% oxygen starting at 4 weeks of age prolongs lifespan by 50% and delays the onset of neurodegeneration. Ercc1 D/- Mice.
Chronic persistent hypoxia did not affect food intake and did not significantly affect markers of DNA damage or aging. Ercc1 Mutations, instead, are worked down through unknown mechanisms.
To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that “oxygen restriction” extends lifespan in a mammalian aging model.