The Study
Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used
This study watched a bunch of mice eat different foods and saw that some male mice lived a little longer when they ate astaxanthin or meclizine. But we don’t know if the food actually caused them to live longer — maybe something else, like how they were housed, made the difference.
Analysis score
Maximum 72 for a cohort study.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave different supplements to old mice to see if they lived longer. Two pills—astaxanthin and meclizine—made male mice live longer, but only in males, not females.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 518 / 100
Quality score
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1The effect is significant in mice but not yet proven in humans; similar drugs like rapamycin show sex-specific effects too.
- 2Male mice on astaxanthin lived 12% longer; those on meclizine lived 8% longer.
- 3Fisetin, dimethyl fumarate, and others had no effect.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
GeroScience
Year
2023
Authors
David E. Harrison, Randy Strong, Peter C. Reifsnyder, Nadia Rosenthal, R. Korstanje, Elizabeth Fernandez, K. Flurkey, Brett C. Ginsburg, Meredith D. Murrell, M. Javors, M. Lopez-Cruzan, James F Nelson, Bradley J. Willcox, R. Allsopp, David M. Watumull, D. Watumull, G. Cortopassi, James L Kirkland, T. Tchkonia, Young Geun Choi, Matthew J. Yousefzadeh, P. D. Robbins, James R Mitchell, Murat Acar, E. A. Sarnoski, Michael R Bene, Adam B Salmon, Navasuja Kumar, Richard A. Miller
Related Content
Claims (5)
In a specific strain of mice, a lower-than-planned dose of astaxanthin in the diet was associated with a 12% longer median lifespan in males compared to controls.
In a specific strain of older mice, a compound called fisetin given at a high dose did not increase lifespan or reduce levels of a molecular marker associated with aging in the liver, kidney, or brain.
In male UM-HET3 mice, astaxanthin at 1840 ppm and meclizine at 544 ppm, given starting at 12 months of age, are associated with longer median lifespans, while the same doses in female mice show no significant change in lifespan.
In a specific strain of mice, a low dose of dimethyl fumarate did not extend lifespan compared to expected outcomes at the full dose.
Giving fisetin to mice does not reduce the number of senescent cells or make them live longer.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.