Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline with aging in mice, monkeys, and humans. A reversal of this decline through taurine supplementation increased the health span (the period of healthy living) and life span in mice and health span in monkeys. Mechanistically, taurine reduced cellular senescence, protected against telomerase deficiency, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased DNA damage, and attenuated inflammaging. In humans, lower taurine concentrations correlated with several age-related diseases and taurine concentrations increased after acute endurance exercise. Thus, taurine deficiency may be a driver of aging because its reversal increases health span in worms, rodents, and primates and life span in worms and rodents. Clinical trials in humans seem warranted to test whether taurine deficiency might drive aging in humans.
FörderungenInstitut National Du Cancer (INCa) Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Wellcome National Institutes of Health (NIH) Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging Project Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics Sigrid Juselius Foundation Larry L. Hillblom Foundation Fellowship Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA) Fellowship DBT Ramalingaswamy Fellowship Longevity Impetus Grant