Lipid changes during ageing follow a non-linear pattern and are influenced by gender

Researchers in Lleida have identified the main lipids involved in the ageing process and how these vary differently between men and women. The study, which was conducted on plasma samples from 1,000 adults aged between 50 and 98, represents one of the most comprehensive approaches published to date in the field of lipidomics and ageing, and has been published in the leading journal in the field, Redox Biology.

The scientific team, led by the Metabolic Physiopathology group at the University of Lleida (UdL) and the Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida), in collaboration with the Catalan Health Institute (ICS), the Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital in Girona, the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), the Jordi Gol University Institute for Primary Care Research (IDIAP Jordi Gol) and the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, has shown that lipid metabolism not only changes with age, but also does so differently depending on gender. The analysis has identified three key moments in the ageing process (around 55-60, 65-70 and 75-80 years of age), each with specific lipid patterns that differ between men and women. Ether phospholipids and sphingolipids-lipids related to membrane structure, cellular energy, and oxidative stress-have been highlighted as key markers.

'The differences observed not only provide fundamental knowledge about the mechanisms of the ageing process, but also open the door to identifying useful lipid biomarkers for predicting ageing trajectories and designing specific strategies to promote healthy ageing,' said UdL professor and researcher Mariona Jové.

This work is a continuation of a previous study by the team, which identified age-related metabolomic patterns. Now, with the new lipidomic analysis, a much more accurate view of the role of lipids in the biology of ageing is provided.

This research has been made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund 'A way to make Europe'/'Investing in your future', the Government of Catalonia, the 'La Caixa Foundation' and the Provincial Council of Lleida.

Article: Joaquim Sol, Anna Fernàndez-Bernal, Natalia Mota-Martorell, Meritxell Martin-Garí, Èlia Obis, Alba Juanes, Victoria Ayala, Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs, Rafel Ramos, Víctor Pineda, Josep Garre-Olmo, Manuel Portero-Otin, José Manuel Fernández-Real, Josep Puig, Mariona Jové, Reinald Pamplona, Ether Lipids and Sphingolipids Drive Sex-Specific Human Aging Dynamics, Redox Biology, 2025, 103779, ISSN 2213-2317, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103779.