Scientists have made a breakthrough in the quest for eternal life: They have developed a drug that blocks a protein associated with ageing.
Scientists discovered that this ultimate drug significantly extended the lifespan of mice by 25 percent, in addition to a host of other benefits.
After a 25-week treatment regimen, the rodents had a lower risk of cancer, no more grey hair, and improved eyesight and muscle function, reports MailOnline.
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The BBC reports that their youthful looks and overall good health have earned them the nickname “supermodel grannies” at the lab.
The treated rats lived an average of 155 weeks, or 75 weeks, the equivalent of 55 human years, compared with 120 weeks for the untreated rats, who died.
The protein, called interleukin-11 (IL-11), was transmitted from fish to humans about 450 million years ago, and researchers believe it may be responsible for the adverse effects of aging.
This gene is associated with chronic inflammation, scarring of organ tissue, metabolic disorders, muscle wasting, and cardiac fibrosis.
Co-corresponding author of the study, Professor Stuart Cook from the Medical Research Council’s Institute of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS), described the findings as “highly exciting”.
He said: “The treated mice had less cancer and showed no common signs of ageing or frailty, but also experienced less muscle wasting and greater strength.”
“In other words, the old mice that received anti-IL11 were healthier.”
He added that although the results were only obtained in mice, the findings raise the “fascinating possibility” that the drug might have a similar effect in older people.
He added: “Anti-IL-11 treatments are currently in clinical trials for other diseases, and there may be exciting opportunities to study their effects in older humans in the future.”
The scientists added that although trials have not yet been completed, the data suggests the drug is safe for humans.
As part of their study, the researchers performed two experiments: First, they deprived mice of IL-11, which extended their lifespan by an average of more than 20%.
In the second experiment, animals were injected with an anti-IL-11 drug, which elicited “dramatic” anti-aging effects.
The lifespan of both male and female rats increased by up to 25%.
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