Inducing Low Body Temperature via Torpor Slows Aging in Mice
Past studies have indicated that reducing body temperature, similar to the effects of calorie restriction, can slow down the aging process in short-lived mammals. Researchers conducted a study where they induced a decrease in metabolic rate, dietary intake, and body temperature in mice by activating a specific brain region. The results showed that the slowed aging was primarily attributed to the lowered body temperature rather than other effects of the intervention.
Torpor and hibernation are extreme adaptations with potential pro-longevity effects in mammals. The mechanisms behind how torpor impacts aging and whether inducing hypothermic and hypometabolic states can enhance health span remain unclear. A specific brain region known as avMLPA was identified as a torpor-regulating area and its activation induced a torpor-like state in mice. Prolonged induction of this state was found to slow down epigenetic aging in various tissues and enhance health span. The study highlighted that the pro-longevity effects of torpor-like states are mainly mediated by decreasing core body temperature. These findings offer new insights into the connection between body temperature and aging processes.
