The meeting featured an in-depth presentation by Dr. Sherman Kap and Dr. Nicole Erhard, who stressed the potential of regenerative therapies to enhance longevity. Dr. Erhard, the director of longevity at Colorado State University, shared her experiences working with master athletes over 60 years old. Her research showed that these athletes had more robust stem cells than their sedentary peers, a finding that sparked interest in applying regenerative treatments to combat chronic tissue deterioration.

A significant portion of the presentation revolved around the concept of “one health,” which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and animal health. Dr. Erhard proposed that animals, sharing environments with humans, can serve as indicators of human aging pathways. The research aims to develop interventions beneficial to both species, leveraging the shorter lifespans of animals to accelerate the study of healthspan and longevity interventions. One focus of Dr. Erhard’s research is on extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, secreted by stem cells, which are believed to be crucial in their biological effects.

Dr. Erhard explained that exosomes could be concentrated and stored for later use, offering potential advantages over traditional cellular therapies. Their ability to be frozen for extended periods without efficacy loss could lead to an “off-the-shelf” product, broadening clinical applications. Moreover, the nonimmunogenic nature of exosomes allows for more extensive use across various diseases and patients.

In the presentation, Dr. Erhard discussed the commonly held belief that dogs age at a rate of seven human years to one dog year, highlighting that dogs undergo similar developmental stages as humans. Research into methylation clocks has provided a more accurate understanding of aging across species. Dr. Erhard also touched on biomarkers’ role in aging and health, noting that research is ongoing into the communication between peripheral health and brain function, with particular emphasis on exercise’s role in cognitive health.

Dr. Erhard introduced the innovative idea of a human-dog biobank, designed to study the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on aging. This biobank would involve pairs of humans and dogs living together, allowing for the collection of biological specimens over time. This approach seeks to correlate health changes in dogs with potential changes in their human companions.

Further discussion explored the potential benefits of banking stem cells early in life, especially from umbilical cord blood. It was suggested that stem cells collected at birth might be more effective for tissue healing or regeneration due to the natural decline in stem cell robustness with age. There was also mention of creating an exercise mimetic in a bioreactor to simulate exercise effects on stem cells outside the body.

Research into cognitive wellness’s impact on aging was highlighted, with lifestyle and therapeutic interventions being explored for their influence on cognitive health in both humans and dogs. A psychologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases is involved, focusing on early diagnosis and intervention for cognitive decline. Calls were made for multi-institutional, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies to accelerate progress.

The meeting also touched on rapamycin, a drug studied for its aging effects, though specific dog studies were not conducted by the presenter. Ongoing projects like the Dog Aging Project and the Triad Study were acknowledged. There was interest in understanding how chemotherapy accelerates aging in dogs, paralleling human observations, with a focus on investigating longevity interventions to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Pet owners received recommendations, including maintaining lean body mass in dogs and recognizing the potential health benefits of having multiple dogs in a household. Exercise was noted as crucial for promoting longevity. Challenges of caloric restriction in certain breeds, such as Labradors, were acknowledged, but optimism was expressed about future therapeutics mimicking caloric restriction. Pet owners were encouraged to stay informed about longevity trials and discuss new findings with their veterinarians.

A successful case in regenerative medicine was recounted, involving a dog with osteosarcoma receiving stem cell treatment for limb salvage. The case highlighted the importance of understanding patient biology rather than focusing solely on mechanical solutions. The integration of implants with existing bone was considered an achievement, with the owner’s willingness to pursue advanced treatment contributing to the dog’s successful outcome. The discussion acknowledged the limitations of stem cells, spurring interest in exosomes as they might offer similar benefits while being easier to work with.