Promoting health and survival through lowered body temperature

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Core body temperature (Tb) is a known factor influencing lifespan across species.
• Lowering Tb has been shown to increase lifespan and mediate some antiaging effects of calorie restriction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on Tb's role in longevity.
• To explore emerging mechanisms by which Tb influences aging.
• To discuss future directions and translational potential of temperature modulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and data.
• Analysis of recent findings in invertebrate models.
• Discussion of molecular and cellular pathways affected by temperature.

Main Results:

• Tb reduction extends lifespan, contributing to calorie restriction's antiaging effects.
• Mechanisms extend beyond thermodynamics, reactive oxygen species, and metabolic rate.
• Cold influences longevity via nutrient sensing, proteostasis, and epigenetic modifications.
• Temperature impacts protein/nucleic acid thermodynamics, ion channels, and RNA structures.
• Lowering Tb can induce cold shock proteins and alter gene splicing.

Conclusions:

• Tb is a significant determinant of longevity with complex regulatory pathways.
• Emerging mechanisms involve specific cellular and molecular responses to cold.
• Temperature management and mimetics hold translational potential for enhancing healthspan and lifespan.