Extension of the Life Span by Acarbose: Is It Mediated by the Gut Microbiota?

Baiyun Wu; Jiai Yan; Ju Yang; Yanping Xia; Dan Li; Feng Zhang; Hong Cao

doi:10.14336/AD.2022.0117

Extension of the Life Span by Acarbose: Is It Mediated by the Gut Microbiota?

Aging Dis. 2022 Jul 11;13(4):1005-1014. doi: 10.14336/AD.2022.0117.

Authors

Baiyun Wu^{1

2}, Jiai Yan^{1

3}, Ju Yang^{1

3}, Yanping Xia^{1

3}, Dan Li^{1

3}, Feng Zhang^{1

3}, Hong Cao^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ 1Nutritional Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
² 2School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
³ 3Clinical Assessment Center of Functional Food, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
⁴ 4Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.

Abstract

Acarbose can extend the life span of mice through a process involving the gut microbiota. Several factors affect the life span, including mitochondrial function, cellular senescence, telomere length, immune function, and expression of longevity-related genes. In this review, the effects of acarbose-regulated gut microbiota on the life span-influencing factors have been discussed. In addition, a novel theoretical basis for improving our understanding of the mechanisms by which acarbose extends the life span of mice has been suggested.

Keywords: acarbose; gut microbiota; life span.