Anti-aging doesn’t just stop at the surface of the skin, new research shows!

When we talk about anti-aging, many people first think of the face, eyes, and mouth corners, which are obvious at a glance. These are just on the surface of the skin, but the latest scientific research has found that anti-aging also needs to go deep into the cellular level of the body.

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The key to maintaining vitality lies in the mitochondria, the "energy factory" of cells. As we age, the function of mitochondria gradually declines, leading to insufficient energy supply, increased free radicals, decreased cell regeneration, and the resulting fatigue, decreased physical strength, and even the occurrence of chronic diseases, which are inseparable from the decline of mitochondrial function. Therefore, if we want to fundamentally delay aging, restoring mitochondrial health may be the key to reshaping the door to vitality.

1. Mitochondria and aging: The root of aging from the source

Mitochondria are the "energy factories" of cells, responsible for providing most of the energy for cells and maintaining normal cell function. However, as we age, the function of mitochondria gradually declines. During the aging process, mitochondria accumulate damage, leading to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and membrane structures, accelerating cell aging. This vicious cycle of oxidative stress not only causes insufficient cell energy, but also leads to a range of aging-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and muscle degeneration. [1]

In addition, mitochondrial gene mutations accumulate, further impairing their function. As we age, these mutations become more pronounced in tissues with high energy demands, such as the brain, muscles, and heart. The accumulation of mutations leads to respiratory chain dysfunction, which prevents cells from efficiently generating energy and accelerates the onset of aging. [1]

In summary, mitochondrial damage is a key driving factor of aging, and by improving mitochondrial function, it is hoped that the aging process will be slowed down and new possibilities will be provided for maintaining physical vitality.

2. Mitochondria regulate anti-aging across tissues and can be inherited

Scientists have discovered that mitochondria have a mechanism called the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which can "pass on" anti-aging "health secrets" to other tissues and future generations [2,3]. This cross-tissue and cross-generational signal transmission brings new possibilities for delaying aging and enhancing the body's adaptability.

When the mitochondria of a tissue are slightly damaged, they not only activate their own UPRmt to restore balance, but also release a specific signal molecule, Mitokine. These Mitoksines can be transmitted to other undamaged tissues, triggering corresponding protective mechanisms, thereby improving the body's ability to resist stress [3,4].

For example, in experiments, scientists have found that neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans and mice can send “help” signals to the intestine through Wnt (a class of secreted glycoproteins), prompting the intestine to initiate UPRmt. This cross-tissue “collaborative mode” not only supports the repair of damaged tissues, but also enhances the stress resistance of other tissues, enabling the body to more effectively cope with various challenges during the aging process [2].

What’s more interesting is that the stress response of mitochondria is not limited to the role within the individual, but can also pass on “health signals” to offspring through intergenerational transmission [3]. Studies have shown that the mitochondrial stress state in neurons can interact with signals from the reproductive system to promote offspring to acquire stronger UPRmt capabilities. This is like the adversity experience accumulated by the mother in life, which becomes a kind of “genetic wealth”, allowing offspring to have stronger stress resistance and longer life [3].

These findings not only give us new insights into the complexity of genetic inheritance, but also provide new ideas for improving the quality of life of future generations.

3. How to apply these results to anti-aging?

These cutting-edge scientific discoveries have opened up new paths in the field of anti-aging. In the future, we can actually apply this research result in the following ways:

Mitokine signaling therapy Scientists are exploring how to induce the secretion of mitokines to enhance the coordination of multiple systems in the body. This therapy is particularly suitable for coping with multi-system degeneration related to aging [2].

Epigenetic intervention Mitochondrial metabolites (such as acetyl-CoA) participate in epigenetic regulation and affect gene expression. By adjusting the levels of these metabolites, we can achieve chromatin structure remodeling and thus slow down the aging process [3].

Intergenerational health management involves managing mitochondrial health for families planning family planning and improving the mother’s mitochondrial status, which can help the next generation to have better adaptability from birth [2].

Precision mitochondrial targeted therapy Scientists are developing drugs that can precisely target mitochondria, such as MitoQ. These drugs can effectively reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress damage and enhance cell vitality[3].

The cross-tissue regulation and intergenerational transmission of mitochondrial stress provide a new perspective for anti-aging. These studies not only reveal the complex signaling network in living organisms, but also pave the way for the development of innovative anti-aging therapies. In the future, scientific progress will enable us to apply these discoveries to real life in a variety of ways, improve the quality of life and slow down the pace of aging. It can be expected that the goal of healthy aging will be closer and closer to us.

References:

[1]Phua QH, Ng SY, Soh BS. Mitochondria: A Potential Rejuvenation Tool against Aging. Aging Dis. 2024;15(2):503-516.

[3]Liu Y, Zhou J, Zhang N, et al. Two sensory neurons coordinate the systemic mitochondrial stress response via GPCR signaling in C. elegans. Dev Cell. 2022;57(21):2469-2482.e5.

[4] Zhang Qian, Wang Zihao, Tian Ye. Research progress on cross-tissue mitochondrial stress signal communication regulating body aging. Heredity. 2023; 45[3]: 187-197.

[5]Zhu D, Li X, Tian Y. Mitochondrial-to-nuclear communication in aging: an epigenetic perspective. Trends Biochem Sci. 2022;47(8):645-659.

Author: Jiang Yongyuan, Master of Internal Medicine, Third Military Medical University

Reviewer: Li Xu, Associate Professor, University of Science and Technology of China