Stem Cells Plus NMN Worked Better Together in Aged Mice
Graded Preliminary — experiments in mice and cells, with aging triggered artificially by a sugar; there are no results in people.
Animal study. Findings may not carry over to people, which is why the grade is capped at Preliminary.
- Design
- Animal study
- Participants
- Mice, number not stated
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
In artificially aged mice, umbilical cord stem cells combined with NMN worked better than either treatment on its own.
Stem cells taken from human umbilical cords are seen as a possible tool against aging. But an aging body can harm the cells it receives. It exposes them to oxidative stress, meaning damage from aggressive oxygen compounds, and the cells start to age themselves. In mice, the stem cells did better when the animals also got a compound called NMN.
The researchers aged the mice artificially by giving them a sugar called D-galactose. The animals then received stem cells, NMN or both. With the combination, the thymus and spleen, two key organs of the immune system, shrank less. The mice lost less weight, moved better and did better on learning tests than with either treatment alone. In lab dishes, the combination reduced signs of aging in white blood cells. NMN also switched on a protective program against oxidative stress inside the stem cells.
The aging here was triggered by a sugar and is not the same as natural aging. The study summary does not say how many animals were used or for how long. Whether the combination does anything in people was not tested.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.