Effect of Melatonin and Pineal Peptide Preparation Epithalamin on Lifespan
Anisimov V.N., Mylnikov S.V., Oparina T.I., Khavinson V.K.
N.N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 97(1-2): 81-91
Abstract
This comparative study investigated the geroprotective effects of melatonin (pineal hormone) versus Epithalamin (pineal peptide extract) in female SHR mice. Starting at 3.5 months of age, mice received either melatonin in drinking water (2mg/L) or Epithalamin via subcutaneous injections (0.5μg per mouse, 5 days/week). Epithalamin treatment extended mean lifespan by 14.0% and maximum lifespan by 12.3% compared to controls. The peptide preserved reproductive function by delaying the age-related cessation of estrous cyclicity by 2.1 months. Tumor incidence decreased from 71.4% in controls to 57.1% in the Epithalamin group. The study demonstrates that pineal peptides exert more potent life-extending effects than melatonin alone, suggesting a multi-target mechanism involving neuroendocrine regulation and tumor suppression.
Study Population
Female SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) mice, age 3.5 months at study start, monitored until natural death
Study Overview
This study compared the geroprotective effects of the pineal hormone melatonin and the pineal peptide preparation Epithalamin.
Methodology
Female SHR mice were given either melatonin in drinking water or Epithalamin injections starting at 3.5 months of age.
Key Results
Lifespan Extension
Epithalamin treatment extended the mean lifespan by 14% and the maximum lifespan by 12.3%. Melatonin also increased lifespan but to a lesser degree in this specific model.
Reproductive Aging
Epithalamin significantly delayed the age-related cessation of the estrous cycle, suggesting a preservation of neuroendocrine function.
Tumor Suppression
The peptide preparation decreased the incidence of spontaneous tumors, highlighting its potential as a cancer preventative agent.
Conclusion
Epithalamin is a potent geroprotector that acts on the neuroendocrine system to slow aging and extend life.
Statistical Results
Mean lifespan: Epithalamin 702±18 days vs. control 615±21 days (p<0.001). Maximum lifespan: Epithalamin 854 days vs. control 760 days (+12.3%). Age at cessation of estrous function: Epithalamin 15.3±0.8 months vs. control 13.2±0.6 months (p<0.05). Tumor incidence: Epithalamin 57.1% vs. control 71.4% (p<0.05).
Study Limitations
- •Single strain of mice limits generalizability to other genetic backgrounds
- •Subcutaneous injection route not practical for human translation
- •No molecular mechanism investigation
- •Small sample size for tumor incidence analysis
Key Findings
- ✓14% increase in mean lifespan
- ✓Delayed reproductive aging
- ✓Reduced tumor incidence
Mechanism of Action
Normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and antioxidant activity.