Autophagy News and Research

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Autophagy is a normal process in which a cell destroys proteins and other substances in its cytoplasm (the fluid inside the cell membrane but outside the nucleus), which may lead to cell death. Autophagy may prevent normal cells from developing into cancer cells, but it may also protect cancer cells by destroying anticancer drugs or substances taken up by them.

Study finds GLP-1 drugs improve strength and reverse aging biology in mice

Researchers showed that GLP-1 receptor agonism counteracts aging across multiple organs in mice, improving strength and reversing molecular aging signatures without meaningful effects on body weight. These benefits depended largely on hypothalamic GLP-1R signaling and closely mirrored the anti-aging patterns produced by rapamycin.

23 Nov 2025

Study clarifies how spermine can guard against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have clarified how spermine - a small molecule that regulates many processes in the body's cells - can guard against diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's: it renders certain proteins harmless by acting a bit like cheese on noodles, making them clump together.

21 Nov 2025

Global experts map out the practical steps that help extend life expectancy

The 1st World Longevity Summit in Kyotango, Japan brought together global experts to share advances in aging biology, lifestyle medicine, and community-based strategies for healthy longevity. Its joint declaration identified four pillars – social connection, plant-based diets, daily activity, and gratitude with purpose – as core foundations for extending healthy life expectancy worldwide.

19 Nov 2025

Understanding thrombocytopenia in patients with portal hypertension and chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease (CLD) and its advanced stage, cirrhosis, represent a significant global health burden, with portal hypertension (PH) being a primary driver of disease progression and decompensation.

12 Nov 2025

Researchers uncover molecular key to prevent brown fat decline with age

As the body ages, brown adipose tissue activity decreases, fewer calories are burned, and this can contribute to obesity and certain chronic cardiovascular diseases that worsen with age.

5 Nov 2025

Lactate and lactylation drive metabolic, epigenetic reprogramming in gynecological cancers

Lactate, once considered a metabolic waste product, is now recognized as a key regulator of cellular homeostasis and disease progression.

31 Oct 2025

Unraveling the mystery of motor neuron degeneration in ALS

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is among the most challenging neurological disorders: relentlessly progressive, universally fatal, and without a cure even after more than a century and a half of research.

27 Oct 2025

Boston Children's Hospital secures $8.1M for spastic paraplegia research

Boston Children's Hospital has received $8.1M in NIH funding to support and expand the Spastic Paraplegia Centers of Excellence Research Network (SP-CERN). Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Movement Disorders Program at Boston Children's, and his team will lead this multi-center effort.

24 Oct 2025

Scientists uncover a key mechanism that protects the skin from harmful inflammation

Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have uncovered a key mechanism that protects the skin from harmful inflammation.

21 Oct 2025

What happens when microplastics reach the testes? Study shows autophagy and cell loss

Researchers found that microplastics from everyday plastic tableware accumulate in human semen and, although not linked to semen quality in the full cohort, were associated with altered sperm parameters in specific subgroups. Experimental models confirmed that 50 nm polystyrene particles trigger autophagy and apoptosis via the FOXA1/MAP3K1/p38 pathway, impairing sperm structure and function.

15 Oct 2025

Errors in EPG5 gene implicated in rare infant condition and adult neurodegenerative diseases

Errors in a gene known to cause a serious neurodevelopmental condition in infants are also linked to the development of Parkinson's disease in adolescence and adulthood, according to new research.

9 Oct 2025

Athletes may gain health and performance advantages from time-restricted eating

According to a study by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), time-restricted feeding can have a positive impact on athletes in terms of both their health and performance.

8 Oct 2025

Elderberry juice boosts key genes for metabolic flexibility in overweight adults

Elderberry juice intake triggers metabolic gene expression changes, enhancing glucose control and fat oxidation in overweight adults during meal challenges.

3 Oct 2025

Discovery of EUDAL reveals new mechanism behind chemotherapy resistance in oral cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancers worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of new cases diagnosed every year. Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival rates remain poor.

30 Sep 2025

Eating earlier in the day could help you lose more weight than later meals

Time-restricted eating impacts body composition and performance, with early eating linked to greater weight loss and late eating enhancing anaerobic power.

25 Sep 2025

HIV protein Tat found to increase vulnerability to tuberculosis

According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis accounts for one in three deaths among people living with HIV.

18 Sep 2025

High fat diet impairs memory formation through autophagy dysfunction

Modern lifestyles and dietary changes have significantly increased the consumption of high-fat foods, contributing to a steep rise in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.

17 Sep 2025

How processed red meat might drive neurodegenerative diseases

The relationship between processed red meat and neurodegenerative diseases is complex, with potential risks and protective effects requiring more investigation.

15 Sep 2025

Experts review the evidence on coenzyme Q10 and cognitive decline

Researchers reviewed evidence on coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and cognition, finding strong biological support and positive results in animal models but mixed outcomes in human trials. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to clarify whether CoQ10 can protect against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

9 Sep 2025

Dormant tumor cells targeted to reduce breast cancer relapse

A first-of-its-kind, federally funded clinical trial has shown it's possible to identify breast cancer survivors who are at higher risk of their cancer coming back due to the presence of dormant cancer cells and to effectively treat these cells with repurposed, existing drugs.

2 Sep 2025