A collaborative study involving researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Stanford University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified a potential anti-aging compound derived from Ascidiacea, commonly known as sea squirts. The research, conducted on aged mice, demonstrated that dietary supplements containing plasmalogens—lipid molecules abundant in sea squirts—reversed several age-related signs. Treated mice exhibited significant improvements in learning and memory, as evidenced by enhanced performance in the Morris water maze test, and displayed physical rejuvenation, including the growth of thicker, glossier black hair.

The underlying mechanisms of these effects were explored through neurological and immunological analyses. Mice supplemented with plasmalogens showed increased synaptic density and improved synaptic condition, suggesting enhanced neural plasticity and cognitive function. Additionally, these mice exhibited reduced brain inflammation, a factor often associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. The researchers propose several potential pathways through which plasmalogens exert their effects, including the promotion of neuroregeneration by increasing molecules that support neuronal growth and synaptic development, and the modulation of synaptic membrane properties to enhance neural transmission. Another hypothesized mechanism involves the gut-brain axis, where plasmalogens may influence the gut microbiome, thereby affecting brain health and cognitive function. While the findings are promising, the study emphasizes the need for further research to determine the efficacy and safety of plasmalogen supplementation in humans. Source

This is a summary. Read the original at sciencedaily.com.