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Published on: March 20, 2018
Tipepidine extends median lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans
Mitsunari Nakajima1, Ren Shimizu1, Atsushi Sawamoto1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8578, Japan.
Abstract:
Many scientists are interested in anti-aging interventions and seek to identify anti-aging medicines. In our previous study, we reported that an antitussive drug, tipepidine (TIP), activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and improves glucose intolerance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Activation of AMPK has been reported to extend lifespan in various experimental organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study, we examined whether TIP extends lifespan in C. elegans via AMPK activation. TIP treatment (50-100 μM) extended the median lifespan of wild-type C. elegans (N2), but not that of the AMPK catalytic subunit mutant aak-2(rr48). These results suggest that TIP extends lifespan in C. elegans in an AMPK-dependent manner.
Insights
The antitussive drug tipepidine (TIP) extends lifespan in C. elegans by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This anti-aging effect was confirmed in a study using AMPK-deficient mutants.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Scientists are actively researching anti-aging interventions and medicines.
- Previous studies indicated tipepidine (TIP) activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and improves glucose metabolism.
- AMPK activation is linked to lifespan extension in model organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if TIP extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).
- To determine if the lifespan-extending effects of TIP are dependent on AMPK activation.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of wild-type C. elegans (N2) and aak-2(rr48) mutant strains with TIP (50-100 μM).
- Assessment of median lifespan in treated and control groups.
- Comparison of lifespan extension between wild-type and mutant strains.
Main Results:
- TIP treatment significantly extended the median lifespan of wild-type C. elegans.
- TIP did not extend the median lifespan of the AMPK catalytic subunit mutant aak-2(rr48).
Conclusions:
- Tipepidine (TIP) demonstrates anti-aging properties by extending lifespan in C. elegans.
- The lifespan-extending mechanism of TIP is dependent on the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).
