Richárd Balázs - The source of youth in the bile?

Author: Richard Balázs
Literature title: Is the bile the source of youth?
Source: http://www.sg.hu/cikkek/77024/az_epeben_keresendo_a_fiatalsag_forrasa
Date of publication: 2010

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Is the bile the source of youth?

Science has taken another step forward in the search for longevity. A new study from Concordia University in Canada is the first to identify the role of a secondary bile acid, lutocholic acid (LCA), in extending lifespan.

The research was carried out with yeast fungi, but the discovery could have significant implications for human lifespan and health, as yeast fungi share many of the same elements as humans. "Although our results show that LCA greatly extends the lifespan of yeast, yeast do not synthesise it or any other bile acids found in mammals," said study lead author Vladimir Titorenko, a professor in Concordia's Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Aging Research. "It is conceivable that yeast evolved to perceive bile acids as mildly toxic molecules and, in response, undergo changes to extend their lifespan. It can be assumed that the life-extending potential of LCA also works in humans."

Titorenko and colleagues have studied more than 19 000 molecules, testing their lifespan-enhancing ability on yeast. LCA has been shown to have significant effects under normal and stressed conditions. "Our findings show that LCA provides lifespan extension through two different mechanisms," explained co-author Alexander Goldberg, a graduate student at Concordia. "The first occurs regardless of the number of calories consumed, involving the proteins involved in the basic functions of the cells. The second system develops during calorie deprivation and involves stressor proteins. Regardless of the trigger, both mechanisms suppress the ageing process."

"Although we have an overall theory of the life-span-enhancing activity of LCA, we have yet to establish whether the same is true for other species," Titorenko added. "We know from previous studies that bile acids have beneficial effects on health and longevity. For example, they have been shown to accumulate in the bile of blood of aged mice and play a role in improving liver and pancreatic function in rodents. In light of these findings, we believe bile acids have the potential to treat age-related diseases such as diabetes, various metabolic disorders and obesity. They may offer hope for a healthy life in old age."