Resveratrol Cousin Eases Signs of Aging in Irradiated Mice
Graded Preliminary — a controlled experiment in 48 male mice whose aging signs were triggered by radiation; there is no human data on this yet.
Animal study. Findings may not carry over to people, which is why the grade is capped at Preliminary.
- Design
- Animal study
- Participants
- 48
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research
In irradiated mice, piceatannol cut the number of aged cells in kidney and heart and improved coordination and memory.
As the body ages, it collects worn-out cells that no longer divide. These cells release inflammatory substances that can damage nearby tissue. In mice, a compound called piceatannol, which the body makes when it breaks down resveratrol, dampened these signs of aging. Treated mice moved with better coordination and did better on tests of spatial memory.
The researchers gave 48 young male mice a single mild dose of X-rays. This triggers early signs of aging without causing organ failure. Some mice then received piceatannol through a feeding tube, others salt water or a known drug that clears aged cells. With piceatannol, inflammation markers in the blood fell, along with three proteins the authors say pass aging from cell to cell. Kidneys and hearts held fewer aged cells and fewer pockets of inflammation, and hearts had less scar tissue. Muscle strength rose slightly, but not clearly.
Only male mice were studied, and only for a short time. Radiation also ages cells suddenly and all at once, while natural aging builds up slowly over decades. Whether piceatannol has similar effects in people was not tested.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors declare no competing interests.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.