2023-10-15 13:00:00
A new study published in the journal Frontiers of molecular biosciences found that supplementing a diet with marine organisms Ascidiacea – also known as sea squirts – reverses some of the key signs of aging in animal models such as mice.
Ascidians contain a group of substances called plasmalogens, which are essential for various bodily processes. Plasmalogens occur naturally in our bodies – particularly in the brain, heart and immune cells – but they tend to decline with age, often leading to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Parkinson’s.
By adding plasmalogens to the diet of aged mice, scientists found that these supplements had profound effects on the animals’ learning abilities and physical characteristics. “Our research suggests that plasmalogens might not only stop cognitive decline, but also reverse cognitive impairments in the aging brain,” said Lei Fu, lead author of the study and professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacy at Xi University. ‘an Jiotong-Liverpool. “In addition, aged mice fed the plasmalogens developed new, thicker and shinier black hairs than aged mice not fed the supplement. »
Professor Fu and his colleagues tested the effects of plasmalogens on the learning and memory abilities of mice by training them to use a Morris water maze (a pool of water with a platform serving as a resting area). . Since mice don’t like swimming, following five days of training, they remember exactly where the platform is and swim directly towards it as soon as they enter the pool.
However, due to memory deficits, older specimens took longer to locate the platform following the same training. However, when fed plasmalogens, older mice were able to find the platform as quickly as their younger counterparts.
“We found that plasmalogens significantly increase the number of molecules that facilitate the growth and development of neurons and synapses in the brain. This suggests that plasmalogens can promote neuroregeneration,” explained Professor Fu.
“There is also growing evidence that plasmalogens directly affect the structural properties of synapses. Plasmalogens can increase the fluidity and flexibility of synaptic membranes, thereby affecting the transmission of impulses between neurons.
Additionally, these substances can also have indirect effects on our brain, by affecting the microorganisms present in our intestines. “It has been widely reported that the connection between organisms in our gut and our brain influences neurodegeneration. It may be that the effect of plasmalogens on this connection is behind the improvements in learning and memory observed in this study,” said Professor Fu.
Thus, plasmalogen supplements might be a valuable intervention strategy to arrest neurodegeneration and promote neuroregeneration. “Oral intake of plasmalogens might be a feasible therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive function in older adults,” Professor Fu concluded.
Par Andrei Ionescu, Threatened-species.fr Editor
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