Citrus holds a secret: researchers identify a compound with liver-rejuvenating potential
Age-related liver decline is a growing focus in longevity research. An international team has discovered that hesperetin, a natural flavonoid found in high amounts in citrus fruits, can suppress and partially reverse age-related liver changes in mice. Published in the journal Aging, the study traces this effect to activation of the longevity gene Cisd2 and the proteins Hmgcs2 and Pparα.
The experiment involved mice aged 21 months that received hesperetin in their diet for five months at a daily dose of 100 mg per kilogram of body weight. Using RNA sequencing, the researchers examined the activity of more than 10,000 genes. The compound's effects included:
- restoring about 24% of age-related gene-expression alterations to a youthful profile;
- reducing fatty degeneration of the liver;
- lowering inflammation;
- diminishing scar-tissue formation.
The underlying mechanism centers on stabilization of Hmgcs2, which, together with Ppar, stimulates synthesis of the protective protein Cisd2. In genetically modified mice lacking the Cisd2 gene, hesperetin's beneficial effects disappeared entirely, underscoring the protein's importance in the rejuvenating process.
Moreover, tissue samples from 80 patients showed that PPARα and CISD2 protein levels decrease with age. These insights offer fresh avenues for creating nutraceuticals and medications designed to combat age-related metabolic liver diseases.
Recognizing hesperetin as a candidate for liver rejuvenation carries meaningful implications for medicine and drug development.
This research could serve as a foundation for future clinical trials to evaluate hesperetin in humans. As age-related liver issues such as fatty liver and inflammation become more widespread, better prevention and treatment strategies may substantially enhance the quality of life for older adults.
As researchers continue to explore the potential of natural compounds in combating age-related conditions, another recent discovery highlights a substance that may halt muscle degeneration associated with aging. This finding sheds light on the broader implications of using natural compounds for rejuvenation, including their potential role in addressing various age-related diseases. For more on this groundbreaking research, visit a compound that halts age-related muscle atrophy.