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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
Long-term every-other-day administration of DMAMCL has little effect on aging and age-associated physiological
Zhaomeng Sun1, Lijun Zhao1, Li Su2
1Peking University Research Center on Aging, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Abstract:
The activation of transcription factor NF-κB is currently identified as one of the driving forces to the aging process. Genetic impairment of NF-κB signaling pathway or pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB activity has been shown to extend healthspan and lifespan in animal models, and delay or reduce many age-related symptoms. However, the aging intervention strategies based on NF-κB inhibition by the suitable small molecular compound is currently still lacking. The water-soluble dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL), can inhibit NF-κB activity and is currently undergoing clinical trials. In this study, we showed that 15 months of DMAMCL administration started in 1-year old male mice was well-tolerated and safe, and improved or had little effect on some age-associated symptoms, such as neurobehavioral phenotypes, physical performance, cardiac function, hematological parameters, immune aging phenotypes, clinical chemistry parameters, and glucose homeostasis. At the molecular level, DMAMCL administration mitigated serum levels of several age-associated inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and CXCL2, and inhibited NF-κB activity in several aged tissues. Collectively, our results indicate that current strategy of DMAMCL administration may has little effect on aging process in mice, and provide basic clues to further exploit the possibility of DMAMCL-based aging intervention to promote healthy aging.
Insights
Dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL) is a safe compound that inhibits NF-κB, a key factor in aging. In aged mice, DMAMCL showed limited effects on age-related symptoms but reduced inflammatory markers, suggesting potential for future healthy aging interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation drives aging and age-related diseases.
- Inhibiting NF-κB shows promise for extending healthspan and lifespan in animal models.
- Effective small molecule inhibitors for NF-κB-based aging interventions are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL) as an aging intervention in mice.
- To investigate the effects of DMAMCL on age-associated symptoms and molecular markers.
- To explore DMAMCL's potential for promoting healthy aging.
Main Methods:
- 15-month administration of DMAMCL to 1-year-old male mice.
- Assessment of neurobehavioral, physical, cardiac, hematological, immune, clinical chemistry, and glucose homeostasis parameters.
- Measurement of serum inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB activity in aged tissues.
Main Results:
- DMAMCL administration was well-tolerated and safe in aged mice.
- DMAMCL showed limited improvement in most age-associated symptoms.
- DMAMCL mitigated serum levels of key inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, CXCL2) and inhibited NF-κB activity in aged tissues.
Conclusions:
- Current DMAMCL administration strategies may have minimal impact on the overall aging process in mice.
- DMAMCL demonstrates potential for targeting inflammation in aging.
- Further research is warranted to optimize DMAMCL-based interventions for healthy aging.
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