2022 Year in Review: The research behind Mitopure®

There are over 300 published pre-clinical and clinical trials examining the health benefits of Urolithin A (Mitopure), with a peak of publications coming out in 2022. This makes Mitopure one of the most researched longevity supplements on the market.

Pioneering, cutting-edge research has been at the core of our company since its inception over a decade ago. For many years we were leading the charge on Urolithin A research largely on our own, but that is no longer the case, as we're now seeing a wave of interest from leading labs around the world. This year we published two human trials, and across the globe, top-level research institutions conducted numerous pre-clinical trials examining the diverse potential applications of Urolithin A, including brain health and neuroprotective benefits, the immune system, joints, and reproductive health.

Here, we’ve curated a list of some of the most important studies published in 2022.

Muscle Health

Most of our trials to date have focused on the role Mitopure® plays in muscle health and performance. This year we published two clinical trials demonstrating significant improvements in cellular energy, strength, and endurance in healthy but sedentary adults.

Mitopure improves mitochondrial function and muscle endurance in older adults

This randomized placebo-controlled trial demonstrated significant improvement in hand and leg muscle endurance after two months of taking 1000 mg of Mitopure daily when compared with participants in the placebo group. Sixty-six adults ages 65-90 completed the trial.

Key takeaways from the trial:*

1. A 17 % improvement in muscle endurance, as measured in hand and leg muscles, was significantly improved in the Urolithin A group as compared to the placebo.

2. Clinically relevant improvements in a 6-minute walk test were observed in the group supplemented with Urolithin A.

3. Urolithin A supplementation produced significant reductions in inflammatory markers, including CRP.

The results of this study are significant because people over the age of 65 show high rates of muscle decline, and due to health limitations, exercise may be difficult to do regularly. Mitopure may offer a unique way to maintain muscle health in this population.

Mitopure Improves Muscle Health in Middle-Aged Adults

The goal of this trial was to evaluate the health benefits of 500 mg and 1000 mg doses of Urolithin A in healthy, overweight individuals aged 40-64 over the course of four months. Eighty-eight middle-aged, sedentary adults were randomized to receive either a placebo, 500 mg, or 1000 mg of Mitopure.

Key takeaways from the trial:

1. Oral supplementation with Urolithin A at both 500 and 1000 mg significantly increased muscle strength in the leg.

2. 1000 mg of Urolithin A positively impacts exercise-performance measures such as V02 max and a six-minute walk test.

3. Muscle biopsies demonstrated activation of mitophagy in muscle cells, and plasma markers showed improved mitochondrial health and reduced inflammation in the Urolithin A treated groups.

4. Long-term (four months) daily use of Mitopure at 500 mg and 1000 mg is safe and well tolerated.

Age-related muscle decline starts as early as our 30s, but unfortunately, a large portion of the population does not maintain a physical activity program to sustain muscle strength. These results suggest that having an intervention like Mitopure could be an option to preserve skeletal muscle in midlife.

Rejuvenating the Immune System

It is known that Urolithin A has anti-inflammatory properties,^[1] however, its ability to promote mitophagy may provide additional benefits to the cells of the immune system. A pre-clinical trial published this year established a strong connection between Urolithin A, immune health, and cancer.

Urolithin A, immune health, and cancer

T cell exhaustion can lead to an impairment of this type of immune cell from effectively fighting viruses and cancer. This prompted researchers to investigate Urolithin A's potential role in supporting immune health. The results from this pre-clinical trial showed that Mitopure was able to improve T memory stem cell function in models of colorectal cancer. This type of T cell acts as a natural defense against tumor cells.

Key takeaways from the trial:

1. In cancer models, Urolithin A supplementation increased the amount of T memory stem cells and suppressed intestinal tumor growth

2. Adoptive cell transfer is a type of immunotherapy used to treat cancer. In these experimental models, Urolithin A was able to augment this type of immune therapy response.

3. Urolithin A triggered mitophagy in T cells which was linked to the expansion in T memory cell formation.

T memory stem cells are one of the most potent types of immune cells, and they play a role in antitumor immunity. The ability of Urolithin A to improve the function of these cells in this study is an important first step in learning how it may impact humans. This study paves the way for clinical trials investigating Urolithin A’s role in human immune function and cancer treatment.

Joint Health

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the development of different types of arthritis.^[2] This year, a pre-clinical trial investigated how Urolithin A’s ability to promote mitophagy may impact cells with osteoarthritis.

Urolithin A Improves Mitochondrial Health in Osteoarthritis Models

Mitochondrial decline and reduced levels of mitophagy are commonly seen in cartilage cells contributing to the progression of osteoarthritis. This pre-clinical trial demonstrated the ability of Urolithin A to improve mitochondrial health in these cells, protect against cartilage degradation and reduce arthritic pain and inflammation in disease models.

Key takeaways from the trial:

1. Urolithin A administration increased mitophagy in knee cells from both healthy donors and donors with osteoarthritis.

2. In mouse models of osteoarthritis, Urolithin A supplementation protected against cartilage damage, improved joint inflammation, and reduced pain levels.

Osteoarthritis is the most common age-related joint disorder contributing to debilitating pain and immobility, and the results of this trial establish the connection between mitochondrial health and osteoarthritis. This trial demonstrates the need for human studies to investigate the role Urolithin A may play in osteoarthritis.

Reproductive longevity

As women age, the decline in the quality of egg cells (oocytes) is a major contributor to infertility. Oocytes contain the largest amount of mitochondrial DNA than any other cell in the human body, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with reproductive aging and egg quality.

Mitophagy supports egg quality and reproductive longevity

This pre-clinical study aimed to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial health, oocyte quality, reproductive longevity, and Urolithin A's role in promoting mitophagy in worm models.

Key takeaways from the trial:

1. Mitochondrial health is a key determinant of oocyte quality and reproductive longevity.

2. Mitophagy plays a role in the health of oocyte mitochondria.

3. In worms, Urolithin A was able to improve mitochondrial health and reproductive span.

In the US, birth rates for women over 30 continue to increase, however, female reproductive decline starts at this same age. As more people aim to start families later in life, finding ways to extend reproductive health becomes increasingly important. This study demonstrates the potential for Urolithin A to support egg quality and reproductive health.

Neurodegenerative disease

It has been well established that mitochondrial decline plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. ^[3]Researchers are exploring the impact of Urolithin A and mitophagy on these types of chronic conditions.

Urolithin A and Alzheimer's disease

This pre-print explores the neuroprotective effect seen by Urolithin A induced autophagy in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

Key takeaways from the trial:

1. The authors were able to demonstrate that Urolithin A induced autophagy and increased the clearance of plaques found in the brain.

2. Urolithin A was able to prevent behavioral deficits in these mouse models.

3. Interestingly, Urolithin A supplementation was found to extend the lifespan of mice.

The results of this study suggest that autophagy induced by Urolithin A may offer some hope in the battle against Alzheimer’s and demonstrate the need for further research into this novel compound. Additionally, this study continues to build on previous works looking at Urolithin A as a longevity-promoting molecule.

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