All articles tagged with #autophagy
Regular exercise can modulate all 14 hallmarks of ageing identified in a scientific review, improving genome stability, telomere maintenance, epigenetic regulation, proteostasis, autophagy, mitochondria, intercellular communication and inflammation among others; the lifestyle benefits are echoed by findings that 7,000 daily steps cut all-cause mortality by ~47% and strength training may add up to four years of life.
A UCLA-led study found long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos is linked to more than a 2.5-fold increase in Parkinson’s disease risk. Lab experiments in mice and zebrafish suggest chlorpyrifos damages dopamine neurons by disrupting autophagy, offering insight into the disease mechanism and potential therapeutic targets and underscoring the need for monitoring exposed individuals.
Researchers find that aging in female eggs dampens embryonic autophagy, causing ACOX1 buildup and hyperactive fatty-acid oxidation that drains NAD+, prevents erasure of histone H3K9ac, and blocks exit from minor zygotic genome activation, leading to early developmental arrest. Activating autophagy with Rapamycin rescues development in aged embryos, and the mechanism is conserved in human eggs, suggesting metabolic interventions could boost IVF success for older women.
New preclinical work shows astrocytes, when their autophagy pathway is boosted (LC3B/SQSTM1), can clear beta-amyloid in the hippocampus, reducing inflammation and protecting neurons—hinting at a glia-first Alzheimer's therapy. While promising, translating this to humans will require precise delivery, safety assessments, and biomarkers, with trials likely pairing glial agents with other anti-amyloid or anti-inflammatory treatments.
A UCLA Health study links long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos with a more than 2.5-fold increase in Parkinson’s disease risk; animal experiments show chlorpyrifos damages dopamine neurons, triggers alpha-synuclein buildup, brain inflammation, and disrupts autophagy, the cellular protein-cleanup system, suggesting mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets and highlighting the importance of monitoring exposed individuals.
New research from Tokyo University of Science shows polyamines—long linked to anti-aging effects via autophagy and mitochondria—can promote cancer by upregulating the translation factor eIF5A2 and boosting glycolysis, while altering ribosomal protein production. The study found polyamines lift suppression of eIF5A2 by miR-6514-5p, activating a cancer-promoting program distinct from eIF5A1’s aging-related role, suggesting context matters for polyamine supplements and identifying a potential target for cancer therapy.
A sweeping meta-analysis of 63 studies (3,484 participants) finds no meaningful difference in cognitive performance between fasted and fed healthy adults. Age matters (children fare worse when fasting); longer fasts may lessen performance gaps as ketones supply energy; testing later in the day and the presence of food cues can influence results; and the type of cognitive task matters. Overall, fasting appears compatible with maintained mental sharpness in adults, with caveats for kids and certain contexts, while metabolic benefits like autophagy and improved insulin sensitivity are noted but vary by individual.
A graphic visualization explains what happens during a 36-hour fast: the body shifts from burning stored glucose to fat via ketosis, autophagy begins as nutrients run low and cellular repair accelerates after 24 hours, with peak autophagy around the 36-hour mark. The piece also notes health risks for certain individuals, stresses medical supervision, and cites studies suggesting limited eating windows may carry long-term risks.
A UCLA-led study links long-term chlorpyrifos exposure to about a 2.74-fold increase in Parkinson's disease risk, based on 829 PD cases and 824 controls using California pesticide-use data and residence/work addresses; animal models show dopamine neuron loss and alpha-synuclein buildup with autophagy disruption, which can be mitigated by stimulating autophagy, supporting a likely causal link while noting many factors influence PD and that chlorpyrifos use persists in the US.
A UCLA Health study links long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos with more than a 2.5-fold increase in Parkinson’s disease risk. Animal tests show chlorpyrifos damages dopamine neurons and triggers brain inflammation via autophagy disruption, suggesting autophagy restoration as a potential therapeutic angle. Despite declines in the U.S., past exposure and ongoing use elsewhere mean monitoring and further research on pesticide-related neurodegeneration are warranted.
Research links the pesticide chlorpyrifos to increased Parkinson’s risk by damaging brain cell recycling systems, leading to neuron death and protein accumulation, with evidence from human data, animal models, and cellular studies highlighting the importance of environmental factors in neurodegenerative diseases.
A simulation reveals that fasting for 36 hours triggers significant biological changes, including fat burning, autophagy, and tissue repair, but health experts advise consulting a medical professional before attempting prolonged fasts due to potential risks.
A study on fruit flies shows that a high-fat diet can impair long-term memory within a week by disrupting the brain's cellular cleanup process, but boosting autophagy can reverse this damage, suggesting diet-related memory issues may be reversible in humans as well.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that a compound in green tea combined with vitamin B3 can boost brain cell energy and help clear waste linked to Alzheimer's, offering a potential dietary approach to prevent or slow the disease, though more research is needed.
Research from the Buck Institute reveals that ketone bodies, particularly β-hydroxybutyrate, can aid in clearing damaged proteins in the brain by altering their solubility and promoting autophagy. This discovery, tested in mouse models of Alzheimer's and aging, suggests a new metabolic link to neurodegeneration and aging, offering potential therapeutic pathways. The study highlights ketone bodies as signaling metabolites that improve brain health beyond their energy-providing role during fasting.