Aging reduces metabolism and clearance, which results in a rise in oxidative and inflammatory stress within the body. A person’s quality of life, including weight loss plan and exercise, plays an important role within the prevention of age-related diseases.

Marine resources contain unique glycerophospholipid plasmalogens and various worthwhile nutrients that may very well be useful for the prevention of age-associated diseases. A recent review published within the journal Molecules highlights the biological significance of plasmalogens and their relationship with age-associated diseases.

Study: Marine Plasmalogens: A Gift from the Sea with Advantages for Age-Associated Diseases. Image Credit: Tushchakorn / Shutterstock.com

What are plasmalogens?

Marine resources contain essential nutrients not present in land resources, reminiscent of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Algae-derived xanthophylls are related to each antioxidative activity and various food functions.

Glycerophospholipids (GPLs) with a vinyl ether bond on the sn-1 position are called plasmalogens. The ethanolamine class (PlsEtn) of GPLs is abundantly present in the nervous system and appears to offer nerve protection. In some marine invertebrates, a high concentration of PlsEtn has been observed.

Previous research has shown that age alters PlsEtn levels within the brain and blood, which is related to several diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present review discusses the biological significance of plasmalogens and their association with age-related diseases.

Biological role of plasmalogens

Plasmalogens strengthen lipid membranes and lower their fluidity, each of that are related to cellular functions. Furthermore, plasmalogens scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) at their alkenyl (vinyl ether) linkages.

The importance of plasmalogens within the nerves and brain has been extensively investigated. PlsEtn is involved in membrane fusion during synaptic transmission since it easily forms an inverse hexagonal phase at body temperature.

By way of the consequences of plasmalogens on blood and heart, research has demonstrated their antioxidant properties. In macrophages, PlsEtn influences signal transduction of inflammation by controlling the number and size of lipid rafts. Despite this, the biological significance of plasmalogens in various organs stays unclear and must be investigated in future research.

Plasmalogens and age-related diseases

Essentially the most common type of dementia is AD, and depending on the severity of the disease, the extent of PlsEtn might be significantly reduced within the brain and serum of patients. A decline in the extent of PlsEtn weakens the blood and brain, thus advancing AD symptoms.

The depletion of dopamine within the nigrostriatal pathway and lack of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta cause motor dysfunction resulting in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In a single study investigating lipid rafts from the PD brain, plasmalogen levels were significantly lower. Likewise, PlsEtn levels within the plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) of PD patients have been reported to be substantially lower than those on top of things subjects.

Aging results in chronic inflammation and lipid metabolism dysfunction, resulting in arteriosclerosis. Patients with hyperlipidemia exhibit lower serum plasmalogen levels as in comparison with healthy subjects. Moreover, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia often exhibit lower levels of plasmalogens in plasma relative to controls.

It has been hypothesized that blood plasmalogen levels are affected by oxidative stress and abnormal lipid metabolism. Due to this fact, it is important to take care of levels of cholesterol inside the conventional range for a healthy circulatory system.

Several studies have reported higher levels of ether lipids like plasmalogens in cancer cells and tumors relative to normal cells and tissues. Hypoxia, a key consider cancer progression, is related to plasmalogen levels in in vitro colon cancer cells. This happens as a consequence of the re-acylation of lyso-plasmalogens quite than activating plasmalogen synthesis.

Higher plasma levels of PlsEtn have also been observed in patients with gastric carcinoma. In a mouse model using grafted tumors, the administration of the plasmalogen precursor alkylglycerol reduced the dissemination, growth, and vascularization of Lewis lung carcinoma.

Conclusions

The present review discussed the consequences of marine plasmalogens on age-related diseases, including cognitive impairment. Aging increases oxidative and inflammatory stress, which results in a decline in plasmalogen levels. Moreover, a decrease in plasmalogen levels aggravates aging-associated illnesses.

The ingestion of marine plasmalogens found abundantly in DHA and EPA could contribute to the upkeep and even increase in body plasmalogen levels. Thus, the chronic administration of marine plasmalogens could reduce the risks related to age-related diseases, which could significantly improve the standard of life.

Journal reference:

• Yamashita, S., Miyazawa, T., Higuchi, O., et al. (2023) Marine Plasmalogens: A Gift from the Sea with Advantages for Age-Associated Diseases. Molecules 28(6328). doi:10.3390/molecules28176328