Nutrition and Metabolic Changes in Aging and Age-Related Diseases

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2025) | Viewed by 3688

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Interests: senescence; nutrition; cell metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, research on senescence has gained significant momentum, especially concerning its impact on nutrient homeostasis and the cellular metabolism. Senescence, the irreversible growth arrest of cells, plays a crucial role in aging and age-related diseases. While senescent cells cease to divide, they remain metabolically active and undergo profound changes in their metabolic profile. This process is not only a hallmark of aging but also a pivotal factor in the regulation of tissue function, inflammation, and disease progression. As senescent cells accumulate in tissues over time, they secrete a variety of bioactive molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which can influence neighboring cells and the systemic metabolism.

The study of cellular metabolism during senescence has uncovered how nutrient utilization and metabolic pathways are altered as cells transition to this non-proliferative state. Key metabolic changes include the rewiring of the glucose and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress, which contribute to the physiological decline observed in aging tissues. Furthermore, the interplay between nutrient-sensing pathways, such as the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the induction of senescence has been a focal point in understanding how metabolic stress accelerates cellular aging.

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the relationship between senescence, nutrient metabolism, and health in humans. The topics of interest include (but are not limited to) metabolomic analyses of cellular senescence in different tissues, the impact of dietary interventions on the senescence-associated metabolic phenotype, the role of the metabolism in the immune response to senescent cells, and how nutrient-sensing pathways regulate the progression of cellular senescence. By investigating these areas, researchers can gain deeper insights into how senescence contributes to metabolic disorders, chronic diseases, and the aging process, ultimately paving the way for therapeutic interventions promoting healthy aging and combating age-related metabolic decline.

Dr. Qi Zhang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • senescence
  • metabolism
  • nutrient homeostasis
  • aging
  • SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype)

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1099 KiB  
Article
Age-Related Changes in Caudate Glucose Metabolism: Insights from Normative Modeling Study in Healthy Subjects
by Zijing Zhang, Yuchen Li, Qi Xia, Qing Yu, Luqing Wei and Guo-Rong Wu
Metabolites 2025, 15(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15020067 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 862
Abstract
Background: As the global population ages, the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia, continues to rise. Understanding the impact of aging on striatal glucose metabolism is pivotal in identifying potential [...] Read more.
Background: As the global population ages, the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia, continues to rise. Understanding the impact of aging on striatal glucose metabolism is pivotal in identifying potential biomarkers for the early detection of these disorders. Methods: We investigated age-related changes in striatal glucose metabolism using both region of interest (ROI)-based and voxel-wise correlation analyses. Additionally, we employed a normative modeling approach to establish age-related metabolic trajectories and assess individual deviations from these normative patterns. In vivo cerebral glucose metabolism was quantified using a molecular neuroimaging technique, 18F-FDG PET. Results: Our results revealed significant negative correlations between age and glucose metabolism in the bilateral caudate. Furthermore, the normative modeling demonstrated a clear, progressive decline in caudate metabolism with advancing age, and the most pronounced reductions were observed in older individuals. Conclusions: These findings suggest that metabolic reductions in the caudate may serve as a sensitive biomarker for normal aging and offer valuable insights into the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, by establishing age-specific reference values for caudate glucose metabolism, the normative model provides a framework for detecting deviations from expected metabolic patterns, which may facilitate the early identification of metabolic alterations that could precede clinical symptoms of neurodegenerative processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Metabolic Changes in Aging and Age-Related Diseases)
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17 pages, 2872 KiB  
Article
Serum Uric Acid and Bone Health in Middle-Aged and Elderly Hypertensive Patients: A Potential U-Shaped Association and Implications for Future Fracture Risk
by Shuaiwei Song, Xintian Cai, Junli Hu, Qing Zhu, Di Shen, Huimin Ma, Yingying Zhang, Rui Ma, Pan Zhou, Wenbo Yang, Jing Hong and Nanfang Li
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010015 - 3 Jan 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1138
Abstract
Background: The influence of serum uric acid (SUA) on bone metabolism, as suggested by previous studies, remains a contentious issue. SUA plays a complex role in bone health and hypertension, making it challenging to discern its impact on the skeletal status of middle-aged [...] Read more.
Background: The influence of serum uric acid (SUA) on bone metabolism, as suggested by previous studies, remains a contentious issue. SUA plays a complex role in bone health and hypertension, making it challenging to discern its impact on the skeletal status of middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients. This study aims to elucidate the effects of SUA on bone health, with a particular focus on its association with osteoporosis and the risk of fractures. Methods: Multiple linear regression analyzed SUA levels against bone mineral density (BMD) and future fracture risk. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between SUA and osteoporosis. Dose–response relationship analysis was conducted using generalized smooth curve fitting (GSCF) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) methods. Results: With the exception of the total femur region, SUA and BMD showed a positive connection. GSCF analysis revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between SUA and BMD, alongside a U-shaped trend with FRAX scores. Moreover, RCS analysis indicated a U-shaped relationship between osteoporosis risk and SUA levels, with higher risks identified in the first and third tertiles compared to the second tertile. Conclusions: In individuals with middle-aged and older hypertension, SUA is substantially linked to bone health. The identification of an inverted U-shaped relationship with BMD and U-shaped relationships with FRAX scores and osteoporosis risk highlights the nuanced influence of SUA. These findings suggest that both low and high SUA levels may adversely affect bone health, emphasizing the need for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Metabolic Changes in Aging and Age-Related Diseases)
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Review

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24 pages, 1476 KiB  
Review
Impact of Periodontitis and Oral Dysbiosis Metabolites in the Modulation of Accelerating Ageing and Human Senescence
by Mariacristina Amato, Alessandro Polizzi, Gaia Viglianisi, Francesco Leonforte, Marco Mascitti and Gaetano Isola
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010035 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1182
Abstract
Periodontitis, a chronic multifactorial inflammatory condition of the periodontium, is originated by a dysbiotic oral microbiota and is negatively correlated with several systemic diseases. The low-chronic burden of gingival inflammation not only exacerbates periodontitis but also predisposes individuals to a spectrum of age-related [...] Read more.
Periodontitis, a chronic multifactorial inflammatory condition of the periodontium, is originated by a dysbiotic oral microbiota and is negatively correlated with several systemic diseases. The low-chronic burden of gingival inflammation not only exacerbates periodontitis but also predisposes individuals to a spectrum of age-related conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic dysfunction, especially related to ageing. In this regard, over the local periodontal treatment, lifestyle modifications and adjunctive therapies may offer synergistic benefits in ameliorating both oral and systemic health in ageing populations. Elucidating the intricate connections between periodontitis and senescence is important for understanding oral health’s systemic implications for ageing and age-related diseases. Effective management strategies targeting the oral microbiota and senescent pathways may offer novel avenues for promoting healthy ageing and preventing age-related morbidities. This review will analyze the current literature about the intricate interplay between periodontitis, oral dysbiosis, and the processes of senescence, shedding light on their collective impact on the modulation and accelerated ageing and age-related diseases. Lastly, therapeutic strategies targeting periodontitis and oral dysbiosis to mitigate senescence and its associated morbidities will be discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Metabolic Changes in Aging and Age-Related Diseases)
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