Ongoing projects
Pharmacokinetcs, safety, and efficacy of high dose fisetin
A pilot phase I/IIa trial of the senolytic drug fisetin in humans. The aim of this pilot trial is to conduct a controlled clinical study to gather data on the pharmacokinetic profile of fisetin and its metabolites and on the safety and tolerability of fisetin in healthy volunteers as well as in older medical patients. Furthermore, we aim to identify potential outcome measures and perform sample size calculations for these outcomes, with the intent to conduct a larger scale effect study, at later date, given the result from this pilot study suggests that this would be feasible and safe.
Low dose fisetin supplementation for healthy aging
This study is a two-arm, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial testing the anti-inflammatory effect of a daily low dose (100 mg) of fisetin over 7 weeks compared with placebo in 120 relatively healthy middle-aged and older adults. The primary outcome is the change in plasma suPAR levels during the study period. In addition, the project evaluates the safety, tolerability, and overall health benefits of daily fisetin supplementation, including its potential effects on other inflammation and aging-related biomarkers, as well as physiological, physical, and cognitive function, and quality of life.
Cellular senescence and senotherapeutic effect of fisetin in mice
This study in mice aims to investigate senescence and inflammation phenotypes in young and old mice, with and without a high-fat/high-fructose diet to achieve a pro-inflammatory phenotype, and the effect of fisetin on lowering systemic chronic inflammation, cellular senescence, and other signs of microvascular aging.
In vitro studies
Using human cells, we are investigating if biomarker signatures vary by tissue and trigger in senescent cells; whether suPAR causes cellular senescence; and whether senotherapeutics can reduce cellular senescence, SASP, systemic chronic inflammation, and improve immune function in vitro.
FAM-CPH proteomics
High-throughput proteomic analysis of samples from participants in the FAM-CPH Cohort, investigating proteins associated with accelerated biological aging and identifying a SASP protein panel that can easily be measured in blood samples.
Population-based research in biomarkers of aging and inflammation
We have previously shown how stress in childhood and adulthood is associated with increased systemic chronic inflammation, and using multiple population-based cohorts, we will investigate if inflammation biomarkers are sensitive to changes in relevant psychosocial risk factors. We will test whether individuals who experience a positive change in risk factors exhibit decreased inflammation compared to individuals who maintain a high-risk status. For example, what is the effect of decreased loneliness, decreased number of stressful life events, decreased number of psychiatric symptoms, improved self-reported health, and upwards social mobility (improved socioeconomic status) between two timepoints on inflammation biomarkers?