Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41540161›Full record

ArticleGeroScience2026

Microbiota-derived indole-3-propionic acid extends lifespan in Drosophila and improves muscle and bone health in mice.

Sagar Vyavahare, Ford Berger, Shelton G Swint, Bharati Mendhe, Mansi Shukla, Ian Duchesne, Roger Zhong, Marion A Cooley, Meghan E McGee-Lawrence, Carlos M Isales and 2 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in GeroScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Sagar VyavahareDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Ford BergerDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Shelton G SwintDepartment of Biological Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Bharati MendheDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Mansi ShuklaDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Ian DuchesneDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Roger ZhongDepartment of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Marion A CooleyDepartment of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Meghan E McGee-LawrenceDepartment of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Carlos M IsalesDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
Jessica M HoffmanDepartment of Biological Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Sadanand FulzeleDepartment of Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA. sfulzele@augusta.edu.ORCID 0000-0002-3510-6759

Funding

THE LEPTIN-IGF1 AXIS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL AGINGP01AG036675 · NIA · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · PI XINGMING SHI · 2011 to 2026
$31.5M
Skyscan 1272 micro-CT systemS10OD025177 · OD · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · PI ELSALANTY, MOHAMMED ELSAYED HASSAN · 2018 to 2018
$368k
The metabolomic consequences of small size and long lifeK99AG059920 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · PI HOFFMAN, JESSICA MARIE · 2019 to 2021
$342k
NIA NIH HHS K99 AG059920NIA NIH HHS P01 AG036675NIH HHS S10 OD025177
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Aging is associated with alterations in endogenous tryptophan (TRP) metabolism that contributes to musculoskeletal decline. In this study, we investigated the effects of the microbiota-derived TRP metabolite, indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), on musculoskeletal health in aged mice and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. Aged C57BL/6 mice received IPA (20 mg/kg, subcutaneous, three times per week for 12 weeks), while Drosophila were maintained on food supplemented with IPA (100 µM) throughout their lifespan. Our findings revealed that IPA-treated aged mice exhibited enhanced muscle function (grip strength and hang time). Histological and bone microCT analyses revealed no changes in muscle fiber size but enhanced bone microarchitecture. Furthermore, molecular studies have elucidated that IPA treatment prevents oxidative stress and reduces senescence, indicating improved cellular survival. Our Drosophila melanogaster longevity analysis revealed a significant extension of lifespan, but lifespan effects were genotype- and sex-specific. Collectively, our findings identify IPA as a promising microbiota-derived metabolite that improves musculoskeletal health and promotes longevity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for age-related decline in function.

Indexed as

Bone and BonesIndolesLongevityMicrobiotaMuscle, SkeletalAgingAnimalsDrosophila melanogasterFemaleMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLOxidative Stressindolepropionic acidIndolesAgingIndole propionic acidSenescence

Identifiers

PMID41540161
PMCPMC12972408

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.