Aging Inhibitor
Japanese scientists have found a cure to stop aging
Ksenia Naka, RIA Novosti
The use of a drug that stops the aging process and rejuvenates the body can begin in five to ten years: Japanese scientists have discovered a mechanism by which it is possible to get rid of the so-called "aging cells", and have selected an effective medicine for this. A professor of the Research Institute of Medicine told RIA Novosti about the results of experiments and the prospects of discovery University of Tokyo Makoto Nakanishi.
You can read the details in the article by Johmura et al. Senolysis by glutaminolysis inhibition ameliorates various age-associated disorders and in the GLS1 inhibitor press release that selectively removes senescent cells ameliorated age-associated tissue dysfunction and diseases such as arteriosclerosis – VM.
The age-related weakening of the body's functions is directly related to the fact that cells accumulate in the organs that trigger systemic inflammatory processes. One of the types of cells that provoke inflammation are the so-called aging (senescent) cells. The discovery of aging cells or the aging process of cells was made by American scientist Leonard Hayflick 60 years ago. He discovered that cells can divide only a certain number of times, after which this process stops. Recent studies have proved that the process of division can also stop as a result of DNA damage, oxidative stress and other factors. Aging cells lose their ability to divide, accumulate in the body and cause inflammation and aging.
"That is, if these cells are removed, it will be possible to stop the inflammatory processes provoked by them, and therefore to achieve a significant improvement in the symptoms of aging. In 2014, we began to study how such cells can no longer multiply and turn into aging cells, and identified the molecular mechanism. Then we "aged" the cell – created a cell with properties common to all aging cells. And they began to look for something that would kill only these cells," said Professor Makoto Nakanishi.
Scientists have found out that the GLS1 enzyme is vital for an aging cell. It is closely related to the process of glutamine metabolism. It turned out that an aging cell needs this enzyme to survive. This is due to the fact that the "plants" for the destruction of unnecessary proteins – lysosomes in an aging cell stop working and the acidic environment that fills them penetrates into the cell, creating a threat to its existence. In order to survive and neutralize the acidic environment, the cell needs ammonia, which is obtained by converting glutamine into glutamic acid, that is, in a process in which the GLS1 enzyme is needed.
"Not only old cells, but also any others where the protein cannot be destroyed and get rid of it, become cells that provoke inflammation. And for all of them, survival depends on GLS1, an enzyme that converts glutamine into glutamic acid. Therefore, if we use its inhibitor (inhibitory substance), then we can destroy all the cells that provoke inflammation, including aging cells. As we have already said, if aging cells that provoke inflammatory processes accumulate in organs with age, then the phenomenon of aging occurs. So, if these cells are removed, then perhaps the process will improve," the scientist said.
As such an inhibitor, they decided to use a drug that already exists and is undergoing clinical trials as a drug for certain types of cancer, whose cell growth also depends on GLS1. An old mouse was injected with this drug, which inhibits the action of the enzyme GLS1. As a result, changes began to occur in a number of symptoms of senile diseases.
The kidneys began to function better in the mouse: the indicators of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen improved. Changes also occurred in the liver and lungs.
"There has been a dramatic improvement in the organs and structures that have undergone age-related changes. After the injection, we saw an improvement in the symptoms of diabetic disease and atherosclerosis. The accumulation of aging cells that provoke inflammation is also caused by age-related ailments such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Now we are investigating whether it is possible to improve these diseases as well. Thanks to the destruction of cells that provoke inflammatory processes, it will be possible to alleviate many age-related diseases and age-related weakening of the functions of various organs. With one drug, you can achieve improvement in many types of age-related diseases at once, achieve rejuvenation. We ourselves are very surprised and find it extremely interesting," the professor said.
Experiments on mice have shown not only rejuvenation of internal organs, but also strengthening of the whole organism. One of the age–related changes is the weakening of muscle strength. If a young mouse is able to stay on the perch for 200 seconds, then the old one falls down after 30 seconds. The experimental old mouse, due to the death of aging cells, began to stay on the perch for 100 seconds.
"We can say that this is rejuvenation. In any case, we observe a similar effect. This is the essence of our discovery," Professor Nakanishi stressed.
Moreover, it is possible that the practical application of this discovery in humans is also not far off.
"The most important thing is that this drug already exists and is undergoing the first phase of clinical trials. If it does not have a side effect, then it can probably be used against age-related changes. That is, it is quite possible that its widespread use is actually very close. This inspires great hope. I would like it to be possible to apply it to ordinary elderly people in five to ten years," the scientist said.
If in the course of these clinical experiments the safety of the drug for humans is proved, then it will be possible first to use it for people with progeria – premature aging syndrome, the professor believes. Further, it can be used for those who, due to age-related muscle weakness, cannot lead a normal lifestyle, as well as for patients whose kidneys have failed and who need dialysis.
Professor Makoto Nakanishi believes that if the safety of the drug and its effectiveness for affecting aging cells in humans are proven, it will be possible to achieve an increase in life expectancy and reduce the gap between total life expectancy and a healthy human condition. Now this gap is on average about ten years.
"It is believed that the maximum life expectancy of a person is 120 years. One of the main mechanisms why the mortality rate increases with age is that cells that excite inflammatory processes accumulate. If this mechanism is removed, then perhaps the percentage of mortality will not grow with age. That is, a person will be able to live healthy up to 100 years. He will remain healthy and will not get sick (from old age), but the maximum life expectancy of 120 years will not change. We believe that this will happen: life expectancy will approach 100-120 years, plus the difference between a healthy state and the time when a person dies will be reduced to zero," the scientist stressed.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru