Anti-Aging Combination D+Q Linked to Brain Damage in Mice
A two-drug combination, dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q), commonly utilized in anti-aging research, has been reported to cause brain damage in mice, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut. The findings, published in the journal PNAS, suggest a need for caution regarding the prophylactic prescription of D+Q.
This research also provides new avenues for understanding multiple sclerosis (MS).
Key Research Findings
Immunologist Stephen Crocker, from the UConn School of Medicine, stated that administering D+Q to both young and aged mice resulted in damage to myelin, the insulating layer around nerves. This damage was observed to be more significant in younger animals compared to older ones. Myelin is essential for proper nerve function, and its deterioration can lead to symptoms such as numbness, pain, loss of mobility, and cognitive impairments. The absence of myelin is a primary characteristic of MS.
The researchers, including Evan Lombardo and Robert Pijewski from Crocker's lab, investigated D+Q's effects on young (6 to 9 months) and old (22 months) mice, as well as on cultured oligodendrocytes, which are the cells responsible for growing and maintaining myelin. The study found a significant reduction in myelin surrounding axons in the brains of D+Q-treated mice.
Furthermore, the corpus callosum, a brain region that connects the cerebral cortices and is involved in vital functions, also diminished in D+Q-treated mice. This phenomenon is similar to symptoms described as "chemo brain" in some chemotherapy patients.
Administering D+Q to both young and aged mice resulted in damage to myelin, with more significant damage in younger animals.
Cellular Mechanism and MS Connection
Upon examining the damaged brain tissue, researchers observed that the myelinating cells (oligodendrocytes) had not died but had reverted to a juvenile, less functional form. These cells also exhibited abnormal metabolism. Crocker hypothesized that the drugs might be restricting the energy supply to these cells, leading them to simplify and revert to an earlier developmental stage.
These reverted cells bear a resemblance to a distinct cell population identified in individuals with MS. This observation suggests that myelinating cells in MS might be under stress, causing them to revert to an earlier stage of development. The researchers are currently focusing on whether these cells can recover, indicating a potential pathway for brain repair in MS.
Context of D+Q Use
D+Q is a combination popular in anti-aging research due to its reported effectiveness in eliminating aged cells that contribute to inflammation and other age-related symptoms. It is also currently under investigation for various conditions, including type II diabetes and Alzheimer's. Despite some off-label use, the medical community generally discourages this practice.
Few studies have previously explored the specific effects of D+Q on the brain. The myelin damage in mice was observed at doses typically used for aging-related inflammation and metabolic disorders, underscoring the need for caution.