GlyNAC Supplementation Slows Cognitive Decline in Mice
GlyNAC supplementation involves intake of comparatively large amounts of glycine and N-acetylcysteine in order to boost levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which normally decline with age. In small human trials this proved to be a surprisingly beneficial intervention for older people when it comes to reducing inflammation and improving measures of health. Animal studies still continue, of course, and here researchers demonstrate that GlyNAC supplementation slows cognitive decline in mice.
Researchers worked with three groups of mice. Two groups were aged naturally side-by-side until they were 90 weeks old, which is similar to a 70-year-old person. At 90 weeks of age, both groups of old mice were evaluated for their cognitive abilities, such as remembering the correct route in a maze that leads to a food reward. These results were compared to those of young mice, the third group. Then, one group of old mice began a GlyNAC-supplemented diet, while the other group, called the old-controls, continued their regular diet without GlyNAC supplementation.
After completing eight weeks on their respective diets, the animals' cognitive abilities were evaluated again and their brains analyzed to measure specific brain defects that had previously been associated with cognitive impairment in studies by others. The results of these analyses in old mice supplemented with GlyNAC were compared with those of the old-control group and with the corresponding data obtained from young mice.
GlyNAC supplementation in old mice corrected brain glutathione deficiency, improved brain glucose transporters, reversed mitochondrial dysfunction and improved cognition. In addition, GlyNAC supplementation reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and genomic damage and improved neurotrophic factors. Previous rodent studies reported that GlyNAC supplementation improved similar biological defects in the heart, liver and kidneys, and also increased length of life. A recently published randomized clinical trial in older humans provided evidence of similar improvements in skeletal muscle and blood and reversal of aging hallmarks.
Link: https://www.bcm.edu/news/glynac-supplementation-improves-cognitive-decline-and-brain-health