Chemistry & biodiversitySep 3, 2026

Egg Peptides from American Shad May Extend Lifespan and Health in Worms by Changing Fat Metabolism and Boosting Antioxidant Defenses

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Sep 4, 2026

Abstract

0.15 mg/mL egg-derived peptides (EPs) extended the lifespan of C. elegans by 33.33%.

EP supplementation significantly improved healthspan metrics, including head thrashing, body bending, and pharyngeal pumping by 24.37%, 22.33%, and 28.81%, respectively.
Aging biomarkers, such as lipofuscin and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were reduced by up to 40.34%, while overall antioxidant capacity increased.
Transcriptomic analysis revealed 2196 differentially expressed genes, suggesting significant changes in gene expression associated with EP treatment.
EPs upregulated genes involved in unsaturated fatty acid production to enhance cell membrane fluidity.
Conversely, genes related to fatty acid breakdown and stress responses were downregulated, indicating a shift in lipid metabolism and redox balance.

Simplified

Given the increasing focus on natural interventions for healthy aging, this research evaluates the longevity-promoting potential of egg-derived peptides (EPs) extracted from American shad (Alosa sapidissima). Using Caenorhabditis elegans as the experimental model, researchers found that 0.15 mg/mL EP supplementation extended lifespan by a remarkable 33.33%. EP also significantly enhanced healthspan, improving physiological metrics such as head thrashing, body bending, and pharyngeal pumping by 24.37%, 22.33%, and 28.81%, respectively. Furthermore, EP reduced aging biomarkers-including lipofuscin and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-by up to 40.34%, while boosting overall antioxidant capacity (SOD increased by 53%, MDA decreased by 30.76%). Transcriptomic analysis identified 2196 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) out of 23 057 total identified genes, providing deep insights into the mechanisms underlying EP-mediated longevity. Crucially, EP upregulated genes responsible for unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (fat-7 and elo-4) to optimize cell membrane fluidity. Conversely, it downregulated genes linked to fatty acid β-oxidation (acs-2, acox-1.5, ech-9, hacd-1) and endogenous stress responses (sod-3, hsp-16.1, hsf-1). Validated via qRT-PCR, these shifts indicate that EP extends lifespan by fundamentally remodeling lipid metabolism and maintaining redox homeostasis. Ultimately, these findings highlight EP as a highly promising functional food ingredient for promoting healthy aging.

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Egg Peptides from American Shad May Extend Lifespan and Health in Worms by Changing Fat Metabolism and Boosting Antioxidant Defenses

Abstract

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