Lithocholic Acid, Calorie Restriction, and Halting Aging

While aging is a natural biological process, it is associated with a greater risk for multiple diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, it is important to study the biochemical mechanisms involved in aging to understand how to treat and prevent these health conditions. The discovery that calorie restriction (CR) promoted longevity in various organisms is a major breakthrough for aging research. Molecular studies of CR have revealed that it mediates its anti-aging effects by activating key signaling pathways, including the AMPK pathway. This pathway is important for regulating various processes, including energy homeostasis, metabolism, and proteostasis. Despite the advantages associated with CR, this practice can have detrimental effects, including decreased liver, body, and muscle mass. Additionally, CR is difficult to track and maintain, limiting its long-term potential. Interestingly, direct activation of the AMPK pathway offers a potential approach to increase longevity and quality of life without dietary restrictions. Remarkably, a recent discovery revealed that lithocholic acid (LCA), a metabolite from bile acid, could directly activate the AMPK pathway. Activation of the AMPK pathway by LCA leads to the beneficial effects of CR without the negative effects. These recent findings point to the possibility that supplementation of specific doses of LCA could offer a novel approach to induce anti-aging pathways that lead to increased longevity and improved quality of life.