Anti-ageing drug ‘holds the key to eternal youth’
A MIRACLE drug could reverse the ageing process and keep people looking young, a study reveals.
Scientists have developed a treatment that helps the immune system clear away old cells, which could be the key to eternal youth.
Researchers investigated the way the immune system is involved in the clearing away of old, or ageing, “senescent” cells, that are not completely dead but are suffering from a loss of function or irreparable damage.
Senescent cells, which cause inflammation, have been linked to diseases of ageing.
The team studied two sets of mice, one missing a crucial gene that removes old cells and one which had the gene. this would contribute to the removal of these cells from the body.
The treated mice responded exceptionally well to the drug – their blood tests and activity tests showed improvement and their tissues appeared to be much closer to those of younger mice.
The scientists found far fewer senescent cells in the treated mice’s bodies and, when they looked for signs of inflammation, they found that this was also significantly lower.
The mice treated with the drug were more active and their lifespan rose.
Lead author of the study Professor Valery Krizhanovsky said: “The accumulation of senescent cells in these mice is accompanied by a progressive state of chronic inflammation.
“This is followed by increased tissue fibrosis and other types of tissue damage, as well as compromised organ functionality.
“The poor health of old mice is associated with fitness reduction, weight loss, older appearance and a shorter lifespan than that of the other mice.
“Pharmacological elimination of senescent cells from these mice extended their lifespan.
“These findings demonstrate the importance of immune clearance of senescent cells for the ageing process.”
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.