Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston show for the first time that decreased oxygen consumption is associated with increased lifespan in laboratory mice, highlighting its potential in anti-aging therapy. Research published in the journal PLOS Biology.
Scientists conducted experiments on mice that age faster than normal due to a special mutation. They compared the lifespan of mice living at normal atmospheric oxygen levels (about 21%) with that of mice transferred to a lower oxygen environment (11%) at 4 weeks of age. This oxygen level is typical for areas at an altitude of about five thousand meters.
Mice in an oxygen-limited environment lived about 50% longer than mice with normal oxygen levels – 23.6 weeks compared to 15.7 weeks. Oxygen-limited mice also delayed the onset of aging-related neurological disorders.
Previous studies have shown that dietary restriction prolongs the lifespan of the rapidly aging mice used in this study. Oxygen restriction did not affect food intake, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved.
These results likely support the antiaging potential of oxygen limitation in mammals, including humans. However, extensive additional research will be needed to elucidate its potential benefits and to find out the molecular mechanisms by which it acts.