Gene

Cell biology

Mitophagy

Biology

Apoptosis

Autophagy

Biochemistry

Computer science

Computational biology

Signature (topology)

Mathematics

Geometry

Activator (genetics)

Chemistry

Nature Metabolism

Urolithin A (UA) is a natural dietary, microflora-derived metabolite shown to stimulate mitophagy and improve muscle health in old animals and in preclinical models of aging1. Here, we report the results of a first-in-human clinical trial in which we administered UA, either as a single dose or as multiple doses over a 4-week period, to healthy, sedentary elderly individuals. We show that UA has a favourable safety profile (primary outcome). UA was bioavailable in plasma at all doses tested, and 4 weeks of treatment with UA at doses of 500 mg and 1,000 mg modulated plasma acylcarnitines and skeletal muscle mitochondrial gene expression in elderly individuals (secondary outcomes). These observed effects on mitochondrial biomarkers show that UA induces a molecular signature of improved mitochondrial and cellular health following regular oral consumption in humans. Here the authors report the results of a first-in-human trial with urolithin A in healthy elderly individuals, demonstrating that the compound is well tolerated and bioavailable after oral administration. They also provide clinical data indicating that urolithin A may improve mitochondrial and cellular health in human muscle.

The mitophagy activator urolithin A is safe and induces a molecular signature of improved mitochondrial and cellular health in humans