Can the aging gut be repaired? A study offers hope.

Repairing the Aging Gut  

Can the aging gut be repaired? A study offers hope.

A recent scientific study has revealed an innovative method that may help the aging gut heal itself by employing an immunotherapy primarily used to fight cancer. This opens new horizons for improving digestive health in the elderly and cancer patients, according to a report on the science website ScienceDaily.

According to the study, conducted by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the United States and published in the journal Nature Aging, using CAR T-cell therapy helped promote intestinal tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve nutrient absorption in animal models, with promising initial results in human cells.

Why does the gut weaken with age?

The intestine is lined with a thin layer of cells known as the intestinal epithelium, which is responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption. Under normal conditions, this layer regenerates every three to five days. However, aging or exposure to radiation therapy—as in cases of cancer—can disrupt this vital process. When cell regeneration slows, inflammation levels rise, increasing the likelihood of developing what is known as "leaky gut," a condition linked to multiple digestive and immune disorders.

The study focuses on senescent cells, which are cells that stop dividing but do not die. These cells accumulate with age and are associated with several chronic diseases. The research was led by a team headed by Dr. Corina Amor-Vegas, who previously developed genetically modified immune cells known as anti-uPAR CAR T cells, capable of targeting and eliminating these cells.

When this treatment was administered to the intestines of young and old mice, the researchers observed a significant improvement in the intestines' ability to regenerate and heal, along with a marked reduction in inflammation and improved nutrient absorption, according to the study.

In a further experiment, the team tested the treatment's effectiveness in mice exposed to radiation mimicking that experienced by cancer patients, particularly in the pelvic or abdominal region. The results showed that a single dose of the immunotherapy was sufficient to support intestinal health for up to a year. Laboratory experiments also revealed that human intestinal cells showed a similar positive response, increasing the likelihood of translating these findings into future clinical trials.

Promising Therapeutic Prospects

Researchers believe these results represent a significant step toward developing treatments that target the biological aging of the gut, not just its symptoms. Professor Samir Beyazaz, a co-author of the study, stated that this approach could pave the way for improved quality of life for both the elderly and cancer patients.

While the treatment is still in its research phase, its findings, according to the study published in Nature Aging and information from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, reflect a potential shift in understanding the mechanisms of gastrointestinal aging and how to treat it in the future.