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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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Measuring Caenorhabditis elegans Life Span in 96 Well Microtiter Plates
Published on: March 18, 2011
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Enhanced Selenium Supplement Extends Lifespan and Delays Multi-Organs Aging by Regulating the Sik1 Pathway Through
Yang Yu1,2, Jintao Song1,2, Mengjiao Guo1,2
1Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 2, 2025
Summary
New selenium nanoparticles (SeMSNs) combat aging by reducing oxidative stress and improving healthspan in mice. These nanoparticles offer enhanced bioavailability and efficacy over traditional selenium supplements for treating age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Selenium supplementation shows promise for aging-related disorders but faces challenges with bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
- Existing selenium delivery systems have limitations in effectively targeting aging mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate redox-dual-responsive diselenide-bridged mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SeMSNs) as an advanced nanotherapeutic for combating aging.
- To investigate the efficacy of SeMSNs in reducing oxidative stress, suppressing cellular senescence, and improving age-related conditions in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SeMSNs and characterization of their redox-responsive properties.
- Assessment of SeMSN efficacy in reducing oxidative stress and senescence markers (p16, p21) in aged mouse embryonic fibroblasts and H2O2-treated HEK-293T cells.
- In vivo studies in aged mice to evaluate lifespan, frailty, organ function (muscle, kidney, liver), cognitive performance, and metabolic balance.
- Mechanistic studies involving selenoprotein expression, endoplasmic reticulum stress, calcium homeostasis, and NFATc2-Sik1 signaling pathways.
- Comparison of SeMSNs with commercial selenomethionine, conventional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), and disulfide-bridged MSNs (SMSNs).
Main Results:
- SeMSNs demonstrated superior antioxidant effects and reduced cytotoxicity compared to selenomethionine.
- In aged mice, SeMSNs significantly extended lifespan, reduced frailty, and ameliorated muscle atrophy, renal dysfunction, cognitive decline, and hepatic steatosis.
- SeMSNs outperformed conventional MSNs and SMSNs in improving age-related conditions.
- Mechanistic investigations revealed SeMSN-mediated upregulation of selenoproteins, suppression of ER stress, maintenance of calcium homeostasis, and inhibition of NFATc2-Sik1 signaling, leading to reduced p21/p16 expression.
- Clinical data showed an inverse correlation between selenium levels and aging biomarkers.
- SeMSNs restored adipogenic differentiation in human adipose progenitor cells.
Conclusions:
- Redox-dual-responsive SeMSNs represent a superior nanotherapeutic strategy for combating multi-organ aging compared to traditional selenium forms.
- SeMSNs effectively suppress cellular senescence and improve various age-related physiological dysfunctions by modulating key molecular pathways.
- This nanotechnology holds significant potential for promoting healthy longevity and treating age-related diseases.
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