Centenarians show distinct blood chemistry in aging study
Boston University researchers found metabolite patterns in people over 100 that may help track healthy aging, but causation remains unproven.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
People who live past 100 may carry a measurable blood chemistry pattern that sets them apart from typical aging, according to researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. The finding could help scientists develop biomarkers for healthier aging, though the team said larger studies are needed before the results can guide tests or treatments.
The study, published in GeroScience, examined blood metabolites in participants from the New England Centenarian Study, which Boston University describes as one of the largest North American studies of exceptionally long-lived people. Researchers reported that centenarians had unusual levels of certain bile acids and maintained levels of several steroids, patterns that differed from those seen in ordinary aging and were tied to lower death risk.
Stefano Monti, a professor of medicine at Boston University and the study’s corresponding author, said the work points to blood-based chemical signals linked with very long and healthy lives. He said understanding those signals may help identify biological pathways that protect against decline related to aging.
How the study was conducted
The research team analyzed blood samples from 213 people in the New England Centenarian Study. The group included 70 centenarians, their children and age-matched control participants, according to Boston University.
Using an untargeted metabolomics method, the scientists measured about 1,495 small molecules in blood serum. They compared metabolite levels across the three groups and looked for molecules that changed with chronological age.
To test whether the findings held up beyond one dataset, the researchers compared their results with four other metabolomics studies. Some of those studies included long-lived people and others did not, according to the university.
The team also studied whether individual metabolites, or groups of them, were associated with how long participants survived after blood collection. In another analysis, researchers built a machine-learning “metabolomic clock” to estimate biological age from blood metabolite patterns and then assessed whether that estimate related to survival.
Possible biomarkers, not a proven cause
Boston University said the findings point to several biological pathways for further research, including bile acids, NAD-related pathways, gut bacterial metabolites, oxidative stress markers and steroids. Researchers said these pathways could eventually become targets for dietary strategies, medications or other approaches aimed at supporting health in older age.
The university said the blood patterns also could one day help estimate biological age, identify people at differing risk of age-related decline, or measure responses to lifestyle changes and drugs. The study does not show that the metabolites cause longer life.
Monti said the cross-sectional design prevents the team from drawing cause-and-effect conclusions. He also said the findings need validation in larger and more diverse populations before they can be translated into tests or interventions.
Boston University said extreme longevity is believed to reflect both genes and behavior. Researchers estimate genetics may account for up to half of the ability to reach very old age, while plant-rich diets, physical activity through regular movement and strong social ties also play roles.
This story draws on original reporting from ScienceDaily.