American researchers have used a set of specific molecules to combat aging in rodents, partially but surely restoring their cells to a more youthful state.
Yamanaka Factors
Set of four reprogramming molecules, the factors of Yamanaka can ” reset » the molecular clock of the body’s cells, returning unique patterns of chemicals called epigenetic markers, known to change as the body ages, to their original state.
In the context of work published in the journal Nature Agingscientists from Salk Institute administered these molecules to healthy adult mice, in order to precisely assess their anti-aging properties and to highlight the possible adverse effects of prolonged treatment.
While the specimens of the first two groups of rodents, respectively aged 15 to 22 months (the equivalent of 50 to 70 years in humans) and 12 to 22 months (35 to 70 years in humans), had benefited from several months of treatment, the latter had not exceeded 30 days in the third, exclusively composed of mice aged 25 months (80 years in humans).
Significant results
Although no negative effects on the health, behavior or weight of the animals have been observed, the many benefits provided by the factors of Yamanaka only involved mice treated for seven and ten months, emphasizing the importance of a prolonged dosing period to obtain significant results.
Showing no neurological or blood cell changes, or signs of cancer, the rodents in the first two groups appeared in many ways to have “ rejuvenated “. Epigenetic patterns typical of younger mice were observed in the kidneys and skin, with skin cells able to proliferate and minimize scarring after injury, an ability generally decreasing with age.
Metabolic molecules in the blood, meanwhile, did not show the typical changes associated with aging.
Improve cell function and resilience
While further research will obviously be needed before clinical trials can be considered, the researchers believe that such an approach could potentially restore the health of tissues and organisms by improving cell function and resilience in different pathological situations, such as diseases. neurodegenerative.
The next step will consist in studying the influence of the factors of Yamanakaon specific molecules and genes, developing new ways to deliver them, and also determining the duration of therapy effects.