We confirmed the research results that the intake of paramylon, a peculiar component of the microalgae Euglena
Suggests that it may extend healthy life expectancy

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) is a collaborative research project with Takanori Tada, Director of the National Longevity Medical Research Center, and Kazushige Akagi, a project leader. Ingestion of paramilon, a peculiar component of Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena, hereinafter "Euglena"), is a model organism widely used in aging research. * 1 We confirmed the results of a study that extends the lifespan of the patient and suppresses the decline in motor function associated with aging. The results of these studies suggest that paramylon intake extends the healthy life expectancy of Drosophila melanogaster.
　The results of this research will be held at the "43rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Basic Aging" (May 27-28). * 2) Was announced.
* 1 Drosophila melanogaster is widely used as a model organism for aging research because it has many signal transduction pathways common to humans and has a short life span.
* 2 The 43rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Basic Aging was canceled due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, but it is considered that the announcement was made with the publication of the meeting abstracts. http://www.jsbmg.jp/

■ Purpose of research
　 Healthy life expectancy is a health index advocated by the WHO (World Health Organization), which indicates the period during which you can live a healthy life and be physically and mentally independent. The difference between healthy life expectancy and average life expectancy, that is, the "unhealthy period" in which daily life is limited, is said to be about 9 years for men and about 12 years for women * 3. Life expectancy is getting longer year by year, but it is hoped that healthy life expectancy will be extended even more. We Euglena powder can reduce the agility to support healthy life expectancy, the possibility of maintaining mental health, and the amount in patients with Alzheimer's disease and depression. We have reported research results that lead to the possibility of extending healthy life expectancy, such as the possibility of increasing the neurotrophic factor (BDNF) * 4 and the possibility of suppressing the symptoms of muscle thinning due to aging or bedridden * 5. increase.
　In this study, we investigated the effect of continuous intake of paramylon on lifespan and motor function using Drosophila melanogaster.
* 3 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare 2018 "11th Health Japan 21 (Second) Promotion Expert Committee"
* 4 Released on May 28, 2019 https://www.euglena.jp/news/20190528/
* 5 Released on May 18, 2018 https://www.euglena.jp/news/180518-2/

■ Research content and results
(1) Ingestion of paramylon extended the intermediate lifespan * 6 of Drosophila melanogaster.​
　 We compared the survival rates of Drosophila melanogaster, which was fed with food containing paramylon after emergence, and Drosophila melanogaster (control group), which was fed with normal food. As a result, in Drosophila melanogaster fed with paramylon, the intermediate life span was extended compared to the control group. Furthermore, when the paramylon content was adjusted to various concentrations (0.1 to 3%) and examined, the intermediate lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster fed with food containing 3% of paramylon was 2 weeks compared to the control group. It was a long 49 days, and the stretching was remarkable (Fig. 1).
* 6 Period until 50% of the population dies

Figure 1: Effect of paramylon intake on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan
* The horizontal axis shows the number of days of survival, and the vertical axis shows the survival rate.
* Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test, *** p <0.001 vs. control group

(2) Ingestion of paramylon suppressed the decline in motor function of Drosophila melanogaster due to aging.
　Motor function was evaluated by a climbing assay * 7 between Drosophila melanogaster, which was fed with food containing paramylon after emergence, and Drosophila melanogaster (control group), which was fed with normal food. In the control group, motor function declined with age, but in Drosophila melanogaster fed with food containing paramylon, the decline in motor function was suppressed. Furthermore, when the paramylon content was adjusted to various concentrations (0.1 to 3%) and examined, especially in the case of Drosophila melanogaster fed with food containing 3% paramylon, the 28th day and 35, which correspond to the middle-aged period. Significant suppression of motor function decline was observed on day (Fig. 2).
* 7 The climbing assay is a method for evaluating the decline in motor function associated with aging and the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Place the flies in a vial, tap the vial to place the flies on the bottom of the vial, and count the number of flies that could climb above the 3 cm line from the bottom of the vial within 10 seconds. Evaluated

Figure 2: Effect of paramylon intake on Drosophila melanogaster motor function
* The horizontal axis shows the age of the flies used in the experiment, and the vertical axis shows the percentage of flies that were able to climb the vial within a certain period of time.
* Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test ** p <0.01 vs control group, *** p <0.001 vs control group

　In Drosophila melanogaster, which did not consume food containing paramylon, the survival rate was about 50% on the 35th day, and motor function declined with aging. On the other hand, in Drosophila melanogaster, which ingested food containing 3% paramylon, not only the intermediate life span was extended by about 2 weeks, but also the suppression of deterioration of motor function due to aging was confirmed. In other words, the intake of paramylon extended the healthy life expectancy of Drosophila melanogaster, as more individuals were observed to live longer and maintain motor function due to the intake of food containing paramylon. Suggests.

　Going forward, we will continue to research and develop the possibility of extending healthy life expectancy by ingesting paramylon, a unique ingredient of Euglena and Euglena, with the aim of utilizing it in the medical field and increasing added value as a foodstuff. We will work on.

<About Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena)>
Ishigakijima Euglena is a type of algae similar to wakame seaweed, kelp, and chlorella. It has the characteristics of both animals and plants, and has a well-balanced balance of 59 types of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Includes. Paramylon, which is a component unique to Euglena and is a type of β-glucan, has been studied for its functionality in recent years and is expected to be used in the healthcare field such as foods and cosmetics. We capture the facts of the interrelationships of "malnutrition," "mental and physical fatigue," and "immunity weakness," and focus on the complex factors that hinder the foundation of health. It is important to achieve sustainable health, not temporary, by maintaining the body's original cycle of "creating, working, and protecting" and improving it to a better state, regardless of factors that hinder the foundation of health. I think.

<About Euglena Co., Ltd.>
In 2005, we succeeded in establishing the world's first edible outdoor mass culture technology Euglena In addition to developing and selling functional foods and cosmetics that utilize Euglena chlorella produced on Ishigaki Island, we are also conducting research toward the production of biofuels. Listed on TSE Mothers in December 2012. TSE First Section market change in December 2014. The management philosophy is "to make people and the earth healthy". https://euglena.jp

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