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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Protocols for Analyzing the Role of Paneth Cells in Regenerating the Murine Intestine using Conditional Cre-lox Mouse Models
Published on: November 21, 2015
Lipoic acid functions in Paneth cells to prevent human intestinal stem cell aging
Zehong Zhang1,2, Qianyi Wan1,3, Yuedan Zhu1
1West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis and Laboratory of Metabolism and Aging, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation combats intestinal stem cell (ISC) aging by restoring Paneth cell function. This finding offers a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related intestinal decline.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Intestinal stem cell (ISC) aging impairs gut regeneration, with limited therapeutic options.
- Reduced alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) synthesis is observed in aging human intestines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ALA in mitigating human ISC aging.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of ALA for age-related intestinal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Assessed ALA levels in aging human small intestines.
- Supplemented ALA in aged human intestinal organoids and mouse models.
- Investigated the mechanism involving Paneth cells, mTOR pathway, cADPR, and Notum.
Main Results:
- ALA supplementation inhibited ISC aging and reduced atypical Paneth cells in aged organoids and mouse intestines.
- ALA's efficacy in mitigating ISC aging was dependent on Paneth cell presence.
- Inhibition of the mTOR pathway in Paneth cells by ALA or rapamycin modulated cADPR and Notum secretion, enhancing ISC function.
Conclusions:
- ALA plays a crucial role in inhibiting human ISC aging.
- ALA represents a promising therapeutic approach for managing age-related intestinal dysfunction.
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