A team from the University of California, Irvine has discovered that the combination of vitamin B3 and active ingredients in green tea can rejuvenate aging brain cells and effectively eliminate harmful protein accumulation associated with Alzheimer's disease. The team found that when vitamin B3 (niacinamide) synergizes with the star antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea, it can significantly increase the level of key energy molecule guanosine triphosphate (GTP) in brain cells. Experimental data shows that this combination therapy not only repairs age-related functional defects in neurons in culture dishes, but also enhances the ability of brain cells to clear beta amyloid protein, which is a typical feature of Alzheimer's disease. As people age, the energy factories of human brain neurons gradually experience a "power shortage", leading to a significant decrease in the ability of cells to clean up waste. The latest method is like recharging cells, allowing them to regain their "cleaning" ability. The team utilized a gene encoded fluorescence sensor called GEVAL to monitor real-time GTP dynamics in neurons of elderly Alzheimer's disease model mice. They found that as age increases, GTP levels in cells, especially mitochondria, continue to decrease, severely affecting autophagy function - an important mechanism for cells to clear damaged components. The GTP levels of elderly neurons treated with nicotinamide and EGCG were restored to the standards of young cells. This change brings about a chain reaction, including significant improvement in energy metabolism, activation of key proteins responsible for cell transport, efficient clearance of beta amyloid protein clusters, and a significant reduction in oxidative stress response leading to neurodegeneration. Research has shown that the combination of these two natural dietary supplements may be a new tool for combating cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. (New Society)