The age‐associated decline of adult stem cell function is closely related to the decline in tissue function and age‐related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms that ultimately lead to the observed functional decline of stem cells still remain largely unexplored. This study investigated Drosophila midguts and found a continuous downregulation of lipoic acid synthase , which encodes the key enzyme for the endogenous synthesis of alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA ), upon aging. Importantly, orally administration of ALA significantly reversed the age‐associated hyperproliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISC s) and the observed decline of intestinal function, thus extending the lifespan of Drosophila . This study reports that ALA reverses age‐associated ISC dysfunction by promoting the activation of the endocytosis–autophagy network, which decreases in aged ISC s. Moreover, this study suggests that ALA may be used as a safe and effective anti‐aging compound for the treatment of ISC ‐dysfunction‐related diseases and for the promotion of healthy aging in humans.

中文翻译：

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硫辛酸通过防止与年龄相关的内体减少来使老化的肠道干细胞恢复活力。

成人干细胞功能的年龄相关性下降与组织功能下降和年龄相关疾病密切相关。然而，最终导致观察到的干细胞功能衰退的潜在机制仍然很大程度上未被探索。这项研究调查了果蝇的中肠，发现硫辛酸合酶持续下调，硫辛酸合酶编码在衰老过程中内源性合成 α-硫辛酸 (ALA) 的关键酶。重要的是，口服 ALA 显着逆转了与年龄相关的肠道干细胞 (ISC) 过度增殖和观察到的肠道功能下降，从而延长了果蝇的寿命. 该研究报告称，ALA 通过促进内吞作用-自噬网络的激活来逆转与年龄相关的 ISC 功能障碍，该网络在老年 ISC 中减少。此外，这项研究表明，ALA 可作为一种安全有效的抗衰老化合物，用于治疗 ISC 功能障碍相关疾病和促进人类健康衰老。