Rejuvenating cabbage
A group of researchers from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in experiments on roundworms showed that sulforaphane increases life expectancy and promotes the development of a health-related phenotype by increasing mobility and appetite, as well as reducing the accumulation of lipofuscin. Sulforaphane is found in large quantities in different varieties of cabbage.
The study used wild-type C.elegans nematodes and nine mutant strains, which were given a feed containing sulforaphane in different concentrations. C.elegans has a protein DAF-2, which is an insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor sensitive to nutrients, and its main downstream transcription factor DAF-16, an analog of human FOXO, regulates the expression of many genes. These DAF-16 target genes regulate life expectancy and stress resistance. Sulforaphane inhibited DAF-2-mediated signaling of insulin and insulin-like growth factor and its target. This was due to the increased nuclear translocation of DAF-16, which, in turn, activated genes that increase resistance to stress and increase life expectancy.
Previous studies have shown that sulforaphane is a preventive agent against many types of cancer and that it can act in synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs to increase sensitivity to chemotherapy. In addition, it has been known that vegetables rich in sulforaphane and other similar substances are useful for reducing the risk of inflammation and cancer, stimulating cellular antioxidant protection and digestive health. The current study confirms that sulforaphane is non-toxic in low doses and promotes longevity.
According to the results, sulforaphane not only increased the average life expectancy of roundworms by about 17%, but also improved health, which is of great importance for the development of new anti-aging drugs.
Data on the sulforaphane-induced stress resistance of C.elegans are associated with the free radical theory of aging, which indicates that free radical damage to cells and DNA is the main cause of aging.
The results of this study can serve as the basis for a strategy for using sulforaphane to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases in humans. Of course, it is necessary to conduct additional research on mammals before this.
Article Z.Qi et al. Sulforaphane promotes C.elegans longevity and healthspan via DAF-16/DAF-2 insulin/IGF-1 signaling published in the journal Aging.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Aging-US: Sulforaphane promotes C.elegans longevity and healthspan.