Longevity & AgingLow-Frequency Ultrasound Reverses Cell Senescence and Extends Mouse Lifespan
Researchers at UT Medical Branch discovered that low-frequency ultrasound (LFU) at 32.2 kHz and 4 kPa can reverse cellular senescence across 15 measurable markers — including SASP, β-galactosidase, p21, p16, telomere shortening, ROS, and mitochondrial dysfunction — in both chemically and replicatively senescent cells. The mechanism involves calcium influx through Piezo1 channels, increased actin dynamics, autophagy activation, mTORC1 inhibition, and Sirtuin1 redistribution from nucleus to cytoplasm. Repeated LFU treatments extended primary cell and stem cell replication beyond normal limits. Critically, optimized LFU parameters also increased lifespan and healthspan in aged mice, offering a non-pharmacological, mechanical approach to treating aging at both cellular and organismal levels.
