Effects of nutritional interventions on biomarkers of cellular senescence in humans: A systematic review

Lin Y, Altulea A, Demaria M

1. 01

   29 articles covering 27 trials and 3,811 participants included

2. 02

   Calorie restriction produced the most recurrent reductions in circulating SASP-panel factors and senescence-associated transcriptomic signatures

3. 03

   Classical markers of senescent-cell abundance (CDKN2A/p16, CDKN1A/p21) and telomere length were largely unchanged or highly variable

4. 04

   CR mimetics (metformin, rapamycin) showed context-dependent effects, most evident under metabolic or physiological stress

5. 05

   Among supplements, only n-3 PUFAs showed plausible modulation of selected SASP-related circulating markers; supplement evidence overall was limited and heterogeneous

6. 06

   Because SASP factors are not specific to senescent cells, no nutritional intervention has been shown to reduce senescent-cell burden in humans

Study Design

Systematic Review

Sample Size

3,811 subjects

Study Duration

Evidence synthesis across 27 trials

Methodology

Systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception to 10 September 2024, including human interventional studies reporting senescence biomarkers (cell-cycle arrest markers, DNA damage, telomere length, transcriptomic signatures, SASP factors).

Limitations

Heterogeneous trials, biomarkers and populations preclude meta-analysis. Circulating SASP factors and cytokines are not specific to senescent cells, so both positive and null findings are limited by measurement validity. Absence of demonstrated effect on senescent-cell abundance is not proof of absence of effect - but it does mean the claim is currently unsupported.