A New Blood Test Could Offer Insights into the Aging Process
The visible signs of aging – wrinkles, grey hair – are often reflections of deeper changes occurring within the body. New research from the University of Tsukuba suggests these changes aren’t isolated events, but rather part of a coordinated, systemic process. Scientists have identified a molecule, called CtBP2, that appears to play a crucial role in this process and could potentially be used to assess both how quickly someone is aging and their overall health.
Originally studied for its connection to obesity and metabolism, CtBP2 functions as a sensor responding to the body’s metabolic state. Previous work showed reduced CtBP2 activity in individuals with obesity, contributing to metabolic syndrome. Interestingly,boosting CtBP2 activity has demonstrated positive effects on metabolic health.
This latest research reveals a surprising aspect of CtBP2: it isn’t confined to the inside of cells. When activated, CtBP2 is released into the bloodstream, where it actively supports healthy metabolism throughout the body. Disruptions in CtBP2 activity, however, appear to correlate with systemic aging and increased health problems, reinforcing the idea of aging as a whole-body phenomenon.
Crucially, the team developed a method to measure CtBP2 levels in blood samples and found a clear trend: levels generally decrease with age.Though, individuals from families with a history of longevity consistently exhibited higher CtBP2 concentrations. Conversely, those with advanced diabetes complications showed considerably lower levels. This compelling correlation suggests that a simple blood test measuring CtBP2 could serve as a valuable biomarker for gauging biological age and overall well-being.
Researchers are optimistic that this discovery will open new avenues for monitoring and promoting healthy aging. The ability to estimate an individual’s aging status through CtBP2 levels could lead to the growth of personalized health interventions. Future studies will focus on exploring safe methods to increase CtBP2 secretion, potentially slowing age-related decline and improving quality of life.
This research was supported by grants from the Japan Promotion of Science (Grant Numbers 20K08855 and 23K18270), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) under Grant Numbers JP18gm5910007, JP25gm6710004 and JP22ek0210175, Takeda Science Foundation, Ono Medical Research Foundation, Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation and Japan Diabetes Foundation.
