RNA as a proxy signal for context-specific biological activity

This 2015 Harvard/MIT rodent study was of long (more than 200 nucleotides) noncoding (non-protein coding) RNAs (ribonucleic acids). These are of interest because: “Within the mammalian body, the largest repertoire and diversity of lncRNA genes outside the germ line occurs in the brain, where lncRNAs exhibit regional and cell-specific localization. The expression patterns of lncRNAs … Continue reading RNA as a proxy signal for context-specific biological activity

The degree of epigenetic DNA methylation may be used as a proxy to measure biological age

This fascinating 2014 human study developed the new use of a somewhat intuitive marker of aging. The researchers used the degree of methylation – an epigenetic chemical modification of DNA – as an epigenetic clock to measure biological age. The researchers found that, on average, the epigenetic age of the liver increased by 3.3 years … Continue reading The degree of epigenetic DNA methylation may be used as a proxy to measure biological age

A biologically relevant event can drive long-term memory in a single training session

This 2014 fruit fly study found: “A biologically relevant event such as finding food under starvation conditions or being poisoned can drive long-term memory in a single training session.” I don’t think that we need to discover at these extremes, though, whether or not the finding has human applicability. We do know from the Dutch … Continue reading A biologically relevant event can drive long-term memory in a single training session

Nrf2 Week #3: Epigenetics

To follow the Nrf2 Week #2 finding that chromatin accessibility parallels Nrf2 expression, this 2023 cell study explored how Nrf2 influences other epigenetic processes: “We identified antioxidant response element sequences in promoter regions of genes encoding several epigenetic regulatory factors, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), and proteins involved in microRNA biogenesis. We … Continue reading Nrf2 Week #3: Epigenetics

Eat broccoli sprouts for depression, Part 3

Here are two papers published after Part 2 that cited the Part 1 rodent study, starting with a 2023 rodent study performed by several Part 1 coauthors: “We used a low-dose LPS-induced endotoxaemia model to mimic clinical characteristics of sepsis. We found that adolescent LPS treatment was sufficient to increase levels of inflammatory factor TNF-α … Continue reading Eat broccoli sprouts for depression, Part 3

Oat β-glucan effects

Three papers on oat β-glucan’s effects in humans, starting with a 2023 study that compared different doses: “Two randomized, double-blind, controlled studies were conducted with asymptomatic subjects between 20 and 40 years of age, male or female, normal weight or overweight. In the first study – a crossover trial comprising two days of testing (β-glucan … Continue reading Oat β-glucan effects

Peripheral vs. brain epigenetic measurements

This 2023 human study investigated associations of peripheral and brain epigenetic measurements: “Evaluating DNA methylation of brain tissue is challenging owing to the issue of tissue specificity. Consequently, peripheral surrogate tissues are used, resulting in limited progress compared with other epigenetic studies. Averaging data for each CpG across individuals, saliva–brain correlation (r = 0.90) was higher than … Continue reading Peripheral vs. brain epigenetic measurements

Sex hormones and epigenetic clocks

This 2023 human study investigated associations among sex hormones and epigenetic clocks: “We studied associations between sex steroid hormones and DNA methylation-based (DNAm) biomarkers of age and mortality risk including Pheno Age Acceleration (AA), Grim AA, and DNAm-based estimators of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI1), and leptin concentrations. Leptin is a peptide hormone and is … Continue reading Sex hormones and epigenetic clocks

Week 148 of Changing to a youthful phenotype with sprouts

Ending the week with a thorough 2023 study of microwaving broccoli in a bag: “Appropriate processing and cooking technologies can effectively improve the content of bioactive compounds in vegetables. Effects of microwave bag cooking on broccoli floret quality attributes, glucosinolates (GLSs) content and hydrolysate production were investigated in this study. Microwave bag cooking preserved the … Continue reading Week 148 of Changing to a youthful phenotype with sprouts

Ancient parasite DNA within us

Two 2023 papers on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and aging relationships, starting with the Introduction section of a comprehensive study: “Several causal determinants of aging-related molecular changes have been identified, such as epigenetic alterations and stimulation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Although the majority of these studies describe aging determinants originating primarily from protein-coding genes, … Continue reading Ancient parasite DNA within us

Environmental signaling rescues aging muscle stem cells

This 2023 rodent study applied An environmental signaling paradigm of aging concepts to muscle stem cells: “The stem cell niche environment represents an important therapeutic target to enhance tissue regeneration in aging. We decoupled age-related cell-intrinsic effects, niche-mediated cell-extrinsic effects, and changes in population dynamics of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) and two key muscle-resident cells … Continue reading Environmental signaling rescues aging muscle stem cells

Broccoli sprout beer?

This 2023 study investigated supplementing broccoli into beer: “The objective of this work was to evaluate alternative broccoli materials (sprouts and by-products powder), which could be a sustainable dietary source of bioactive sulforaphane (SFN). Results showed high concentrations of SFN in beers supplemented with broccoli sprouts and powder (5.00 and 2.54 mg/L, respectively, previous to … Continue reading Broccoli sprout beer?

Blinded by their paradigm?

This 2022 human study investigated another type of aging clock: “The glycan clock of age, based entirely on immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycans, can predict biological age with high accuracy. Unlike DNA methylation, glycosylation of IgG does not predict chronological age with high accuracy. Heritability analysis of plasma glycans revealed that the majority of traits have … Continue reading Blinded by their paradigm?

Week 144 of Changing to a youthful phenotype with sprouts

Two papers, starting with a 2023 study that investigated the same red radish cultivar as Sulforaphene, a natural analog of sulforaphane: “Availability of microgreen products is constantly rising, i.e., they are offered for sale in local farmers markets, specialty stores, and in chain grocery stores. Due to the low demands required for their cultivation and easily … Continue reading Week 144 of Changing to a youthful phenotype with sprouts

Sulforaphene, a natural analog of sulforaphane

Three papers on sulforaphene, starting with a 2022 in vitro digestion study by Our model clinical trial for Changing to a youthful phenotype with broccoli sprouts group: “This work aims to assess anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive compounds of cruciferous sprouts red radish (RRS) and red cabbage (RCS) in their bioaccessible form (obtained by the digestion of … Continue reading Sulforaphene, a natural analog of sulforaphane