Removing worn-out cells makes mice live longer and prosper

There are many advertisements and claims in regards to help live a longer and better life, but nothing has provided actual life changing results.

In this study preformed by the Mayo Clinic on February 3rd. They claimed removing "worn-out" or senescent cells from a mouse improves and increases it's lifespan. They also made the claim that clearing these cells would improve heart and kidney function. Senescent cells are cells that no longer function and cease to divide and do their duty. These cells are a main factor when aging, the p16 protein when designated to kill itself, it needs to bring other cells along with it. Mice whom were of ages equivalent to 40-60 year olds in humans were injected with this protein and its "partner chemical". Results included that senescent cells were easily killed off better in some organs than others. A downfall of receiving this treatment that senescent cells are crucial in wound repair, killing these cells delay the healing process, but once treatment has stopped the healing process can turn back to normal. This isn't to say that senescent is the only factor in aging but it is something new that we can work and build off of for future research.

This article really stood out to me because who doesn't want to live a long a healthy life? If this treatment or genetic therapy could be used in humans, this would not only create longer lives but also happiness for those who are scared and worried about their medical history which was passed down from their ancestors. With further research and experiments I personally believe that this discovery will be beneficial for man kind.

For original source click here:  https://www.sciencenews.org/article/removing-worn-out-cells-makes-mice-live-longer-and-prosper?mode=topic&context=87

The Fountain of Youth

Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), Mayo Clinic, and other institutions recently identified a new class of drugs that slow the aging process.  During the study, the scientists targeted senescent cells in mice.  The scientists were challenged with identifying and targeting the senescent cells without damaging surrounding cells.  Through transcript analysis, the researchers discovered that senescent cells, like cancer cells, have an increased ability to resist apoptosis.  As a result, the researchers decided to use dasatinib and quercetin to facilitate their research.  Cell culture testing showed that while dasatinib was effective in eliminating senescent human fat cell progenitors, quercetin was effective in eliminating senescent human endothelial cells.  The scientists concluded that a combination of both drugs would be most effective in targeting and eliminating senescent cells.

When testing how the drugs affected health and aging in mice, the research team observed improved cardiovascular function among old mice after a single dose of the drugs.  The team also observed that after a single dose, mice that had been exposed to radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer exhibited an increased exercise capacity.  Periodic dosages of the drugs delayed age-related symptoms, spine degeneration, and osteoporosis in mice who exhibited accelerated aging.  The research team concluded that more testing must be performed before the combination of drugs can be used in humans.

I think the research is fascinating and has the potential to allow people to live healthier for a longer period of time.  Many people would find this to be the new fountain of youth.

Senescent Cells are Linked to Diseases Associated with Aging

Researchers have long been battling the effects of aging. Scientists hope to use the discovery of senescent cells to postpone many diseases that develop with age. Senescent cells are a category of cells that help promote aging of the tissues. Scientists hope that ridding the body of these senescent cells would protect against these diseases that develop as the body gets older. These senescent cells build up in aging tissues such as arthritic knees, cataracts, and the plaque that lines arteries.  The cells secrete agents that effect the immune system and causes inflammation. These senescent cells promote aging in the tissues that they accumulate in. A research team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. has produced a strain of mouse in which all the senescent cells can purge with the use of a drug. These mice, without the presence of these senescent cells showed great improvement in the development of age related diseases. They did not develop cataracts, could exercise much longer, avoided the wasting away of muscle, and they retained the layer of fat that usually goes away which causes wrinkles. The mice should have also theoretically lived longer, however the type of mouse chosen for the experiment succumbed to heart attacks more readily at an early age, regardless of tissue. Researchers hope to devise ways to rid the body of the senescent cells but cannot use the same treatment used on the mice on people. Drugs already exist that combat some of the hormones secreted by the senescent cells. Many more tests are still needed to be done to understand senescent cells better, but the discovery that these cells drive the aging process is a big breakthrough in aging research.