Rapamycin slows aging in mice.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-15-2012
JAX Location
Reprint Collection
JAX Source
Aging Cell 2012 Aug; 11(4):675-682.
PMID
22587563
ISSN
1474-9726
Abstract
Rapamycin increases lifespan in mice, but whether this represents merely inhibition of lethal neoplastic diseases, or an overall slowing in multiple aspects of aging is currently unclear. We report here that many forms of age-dependent change, including alterations in heart, liver, adrenal glands, endometrium, and tendon, as well as age-dependent decline in spontaneous activity, occur more slowly in rapamycin-treated mice, suggesting strongly that rapamycin retards multiple aspects of aging in mice, in addition to any beneficial effects it may have on neoplastic disease. We also note, however, that mice treated with rapamycin starting at 9 months of age have significantly higher incidence of testicular degeneration and cataracts; harmful effects of this kind will guide further studies on timing, dosage, and tissue-specific actions of rapamycin relevant to the development of clinically useful inhibitors of TOR action.
Recommended Citation
Wilkinson J,
Burmeister L,
Brooks S,
Chan C,
Friedline S,
Harrison D,
Hejtmancik J,
Nadon N,
Strong R,
Wood L,
Woodward M,
Miller R.
Rapamycin slows aging in mice. Aging Cell 2012 Aug; 11(4):675-682.