Lipoic acid rejuvenates aged intestinal stem cells by preventing age-associated endosome reduction.

ABSTRACT: The age-associated decline of adult stem cell function is closely related to the decline in tissue function and age-related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms that ultimately lead to the observed functional decline of stem cells still remain largely unexplored. This study investigated Drosophila midguts and found a continuous downregulation of lipoic acid synthase, which encodes the key enzyme for the endogenous synthesis of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), upon aging. Importantly, orally administration of ALA significantly reversed the age-associated hyperproliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and the observed decline of intestinal function, thus extending the lifespan of Drosophila. This study reports that ALA reverses age-associated ISC dysfunction by promoting the activation o

SUBMITTER: Du G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7403706 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature