Novel metabolic research platform finds that a novel postbiotic mixture extended lifespan and healthspan in vivo

Photo © iStockphoto.com/janrysavy

InVivo Biosciences (Eugene, OR), experts in preclinical in vivo testing, and Thaena Inc. (Portland, OR), a wellness company developing microbiome-based therapies, have announced results from recent research demonstrating measurably superior healthspan and lifespan benefits of ThaenaBiotic powder, a sterilized postbiotic mixture derived from healthy human stool. Results showed that the mixture improved both the lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans, outperforming both Resveratrol and Rapamycin control groups when tested on the InVivo Vitality Platform.

InVivo Biosciences, on behalf of Thaena, utilized C. elegans as the scientifically standard model organism because the short lifespan, paired with the ability to determine whether genetic pathways such as mTOR or insulin signaling are involved, make them an invaluable tool for studying longevity effects. Results showed that ThaenaBiotic protected the animals from the effects of oxidizing chemicals better than vitamin C, causing the animals to continue healthy movement patterns later in their life. The companies are now undertaking a transcriptomics study in order to determine the mechanism of action.

“We are investigating a novel approach to looking at the metabolites or postbiotics that the human microbiota produces. The mixture surprised us when it significantly extended lifespan and healthspan,” said Andrea McBeth, co-founder of Thaena, in a press release. “Over the past decade, fecal transplant use in clinical trials has challenged our understanding of the role the microbiome plays in immune, neurologic, and metabolic health. We’ve learned that not only does the composition of the microbiome matter from a species-viewpoint, but also what it produces. The InVivo Vitality Platform provided a new and more cost-effective way to investigate how such a complex mixture of small molecules produced by the microbiome could impact longevity and healthspan. We are incredibly excited by these findings and believe this will open a new world of discovery for longevity innovation.”

“We, along with Thaena, didn’t expect to see these findings and are excited to move forward together to expand research into how and why this treatment affects longevity,” added Kat McCormick, PhD., vice president of product at InVivo Biosystems. “We are excited that our scientific services enable growth and product development for new companies like Thaena that will fuel new options and innovation in the health and wellness space. It really is a cutting edge, novel scientific approach to looking at how gut health and longevity are interrelated and a cost-effective way for Thaena to deliver scientifically proven wellness products to the market.”

According to the company, The InVivo Efficacy Evaluation Platform can quicky and economically test a compound or formulation’s ability to impact genes and hallmarks of good health with large sample sizes of live animals in less than four months. The platform can offer the following studies:

• Genetic signature studies
• Vitality studies
• Antioxidant capacity studies
• Mitochondrial studies