A torpor-like state (TLS) in mice slows blood epigenetic aging and prolongs healthspan.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Authors
Abstract

Torpor and hibernation are extreme physiological adaptations of homeotherms associated with pro-longevity effects. Yet the underlying mechanisms of how torpor affects aging, and whether hypothermic and hypometabolic states can be induced to slow aging and increase health span, remain unknown. We demonstrate that the activity of a spatially defined neuronal population in the avMLPA, which has previously been identified as a torpor-regulating brain region, is sufficient to induce a torpor like state (TLS) in mice. Prolonged induction of TLS slows epigenetic aging across multiple tissues and improves health span. We isolate the effects of decreased metabolic rate, long-term caloric restriction, and decreased core body temperature (T) on blood epigenetic aging and find that the pro-longevity effect of torpor-like states is mediated by decreased T. Taken together, our findings provide novel mechanistic insight into the pro-longevity effects of torpor and hibernation and support the growing body of evidence that T is an important mediator of aging processes.

Year of Publication
2024
Journal
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Date Published
03/2024
DOI
10.1101/2024.03.20.585828
PubMed ID
38585858
Links