Insights into the multifaceted roles of dietary proteins in aging: Evidence from Caenorhabditis elegans and macrophage models
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Different dietary proteins have their health and nutritional effects. This study explored the effects of seven dietary proteins—myosin, myoglobin, collagen, hemoglobin, whey protein, egg white protein, and soy protein isolate—on longevity, motility, and antioxidant enzyme expression in Caenorhabditis elegans , as well as immune factor expression in mouse macrophages. Metabolomic analysis revealed protein-induced differential metabolites, with qPCR identifying associated genes. Notably, whey protein and collagen significantly extended nematode lifespan, improved motility, and regulated antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory factors, and metabolic pathways. These effects involved upregulating tryptophan metabolism while downregulating glycerophospholipid and nucleotide metabolism. Correlations between protein intake, metabolites, and gene expression highlighted new insights into dietary protein's role in health and aging. These findings advance understanding of protein function in aging and inform future nutritional and anti-aging strategies.
Source: Journal of Future Foods
Authors: Linggao Liu, Ruiyun Wu, Ziwu Gao, Haijie Wang, Anqi Xu, Jinhua He, Xinning Hou, Shang Nan, Dequan Zhang, Zhenyu Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Aging
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: G1446907300, G5742922689, G7572667577
OpenAlex ID: W4413235190