Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides (TALENTs): Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Older Adults

Shuyue Wang; Lixia Song; Rui Fan; Qianqian Chen; Mei You; Meng Cai; Yuxiao Wu; Yong Li; Meihong Xu

doi:10.3390/nu16091343

Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides (TALENTs): Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Older Adults

Nutrients. 2024 Apr 29;16(9):1343. doi: 10.3390/nu16091343.

Authors

Shuyue Wang^{1

2}, Lixia Song^{1

2}, Rui Fan^{1

2}, Qianqian Chen^{1

2}, Mei You^{1

2}, Meng Cai^{1

2}, Yuxiao Wu^{1

2}, Yong Li^{1

2}, Meihong Xu^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.

Abstract

Nucleotides (NTs), important biomolecules involved in numerous cellular processes, have been proposed as potential candidates for anti-aging interventions. However, whether nucleotides can act as an anti-aging supplement in older adults remains unclear. TALENTs is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy and safety of NTs as an anti-aging supplement in older adults by exploring the effects of NTs on multiple dimensions of aging in a rigorous scientific setting. Eligible community-dwelling adults aged 60-70 years were randomly assigned equally to two groups: nucleotides intervention group and placebo control group. Comprehensive geriatric health assessments were performed at baseline, 2-months, and 4-months of the intervention. Biological specimens were collected and stored for age-related biomarker testing and multi-omics sequencing. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to 4 months on leukocyte telomere length and DNA methylation age. The secondary aims were the changes in possible mechanisms underlying aging processes (immunity, inflammatory profile, oxidative stress, gene stability, endocrine, metabolism, and cardiovascular function). Other outcomes were changes in physical function, body composition and geriatric health assessment (including sleep quality, cognitive function, fatigue, frailty, and psychology). In the RCT, 301 participants were assessed for eligibility and 122 were enrolled. Participants averaged 65.65 years of age, and were predominately female (67.21%). All baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups, as expected due to randomization. The majority of participants were pre-frailty and had at least one chronic condition. The mean scores for physical activity, psychological, fatigue and quality of life were within the normal range. However, nearly half of the participants still had room for improvement in cognitive level and sleep quality. This TALENTs trial will represent one of the most comprehensive experimental clinical trials in which supplements are administered to elderly participants. The findings of this study will contribute to our understanding of the anti-aging effects of NTs and provide insights into their potential applications in geriatric healthcare.

Keywords: aging biomarkers; healthy aging; nucleotides; older adults; randomized trial.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Aged
Aging* / physiology
DNA Methylation / drug effects
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Female
Geriatric Assessment / methods
Humans
Leukocytes
Longevity*
Male
Middle Aged
Nucleotides*
Telomere / drug effects

Substances

Nucleotides

Grants and funding

This study is commissioned and funded by Zhen-Ao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., (Dalian, China). Funding number (2021220) was autonomous number. The sponsor provides assistance with subject recruitment and provides medical professional to participate in the entire health consultation process, but does not participate in the design, methodology, data collection, analysis, or paper writing.