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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:38
Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: November 29, 2013
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Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0), an Essential Fatty Acid, Shares Clinically Relevant Cell-Based Activities with Leading
Stephanie Venn-Watson1,2, Nicholas J Schork2,3
1Epitracker Inc., San Diego, CA 92106, USA.
Nutrients
|November 14, 2023
Summary
Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), an essential nutrient, shows significant health benefits. It activates longevity pathways and demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer activities comparable to leading longevity compounds.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Longevity Research
Background:
- Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid vital for cardiometabolic, immune, and liver health.
- C15:0 influences the human longevity pathway by activating AMPK and inhibiting mTOR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate C15:0's potential in enhancing longevity and healthspan processes.
- To compare C15:0's molecular activities against known longevity-enhancing compounds: acarbose, metformin, and rapamycin.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human cell-based molecular phenotyping assays.
- Compared C15:0 with acarbose, metformin, and rapamycin across 12 cell systems.
- Assessed dose-dependent activities and shared molecular targets.
Main Results:
- C15:0 exhibited 36 activities across 10 cell systems, rivaling rapamycin's 32 activities across 12 systems.
- At optimal doses, C15:0 and rapamycin shared 24 activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer effects.
- C15:0 demonstrated significant reductions in inflammatory markers like MCP-1, TNFα, IL-10, and IL-17A/F.
Conclusions:
- C15:0 possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-cancer properties.
- Results support C15:0 as an essential nutrient with healthspan benefits comparable to or exceeding leading longevity compounds.
- C15:0's established roles in targeting aging hallmarks and chronic diseases further underscore its significance.
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