Harvard scientists reverse the ageing process in mice

[Geriatrix]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/28/scientists-reverse-ageing-mice-humans

Scientists claim to be a step closer to reversing the ageing process after rejuvenating worn out organs in elderly mice. The experimental treatment developed by researchers at Harvard Medical School turned weak and feeble old mice into healthy animals by regenerating their aged bodies.

The surprise recovery of the animals has raised hopes among scientists that it may be possible to achieve a similar feat in humans – or at least to slow down the ageing process.

An anti-ageing therapy could have a dramatic impact on public health by reducing the burden of age-related health problems, such as dementia, stroke and heart disease, and prolonging the quality of life for an increasingly aged population.

"What we saw in these animals was not a slowing down or stabilisation of the ageing process. We saw a dramatic reversal – and that was unexpected," said Ronald DePinho, who led the study, which was published in the journal Nature.

"This could lead to strategies that enhance the regenerative potential of organs as individuals age and so increase their quality of life. Whether it serves to increase longevity is a question we are not yet in a position to answer."

The ageing process is poorly understood, but scientists know it is caused by many factors. Highly reactive particles called free radicals are made naturally in the body and cause damage to cells, while smoking, ultraviolet light and other environmental factors contribute to ageing.

The Harvard group focused on a process called telomere shortening. Most cells in the body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, which carry our DNA. At the ends of each chromosome is a protective cap called a telomere. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres are snipped shorter, until eventually they stop working and the cell dies or goes into a suspended state called "senescence". The process is behind much of the wear and tear associated with ageing.

At Harvard, they bred genetically manipulated mice that lacked an enzyme called telomerase that stops telomeres getting shorter. Without the enzyme, the mice aged prematurely and suffered ailments, including a poor sense of smell, smaller brain size, infertility and damaged intestines and spleens. But when DePinho gave the mice injections to reactivate the enzyme, it repaired the damaged tissues and reversed the signs of ageing.

"These were severely aged animals, but after a month of treatment they showed a substantial restoration, including the growth of new neurons in their brains," said DePinho.

Repeating the trick in humans will be more difficult. Mice make telomerase throughout their lives, but the enzyme is switched off in adult humans, an evolutionary compromise that stops cells growing out of control and turning into cancer. Raising levels of telomerase in people might slow the ageing process, but it makes the risk of cancer soar.

DePinho said the treatment might be safe in humans if it were given periodically and only to younger people who do not have tiny clumps of cancer cells already living, unnoticed, in their bodies.

David Kipling, who studies ageing at Cardiff University, said: "The goal for human tissue 'rejuvenation' would be to remove senescent cells, or else compensate for the deleterious effects they have on tissues and organs. Although this is a fascinating study, it must be remembered that mice are not little men, particularly with regard to their telomeres, and it remains unclear whether a similar telomerase reactivation in adult humans would lead to the removal of senescent cells."

Lynne Cox, a biochemist at Oxford University, said the study was "extremely important" and "provides proof of principle that short-term treatment to restore telomerase in adults already showing age-related tissue degeneration can rejuvenate aged tissues and restore physiological function."

DePinho said none of Harvard's mice developed cancer after the treatment. The team is now investigating whether it extends the lifespan of mice or enables them to live healthier lives into old age.

Tom Kirkwood, director of the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University, said: "The key question is what might this mean for human therapies against age-related diseases? While there is some evidence that telomere erosion contributes to age-associated human pathology, it is surely not the only, or even dominant, cause, as it appears to be in mice engineered to lack telomerase. Furthermore, there is the ever-present anxiety that telomerase reactivation is a hallmark of most human cancers."

 

[scotty777]

So when the earth is over populated, scientists decide to research anti-aging stuff, making us live longer and stay younger... fantastic idea.

 

[w1z4rd]

Where do I sign up for human trial testing?

They should make a rule about this. If you get the meds you need to be sterilized.

 

[Archer]

So when the earth is over populated, scientists decide to research anti-aging stuff, making us live longer and stay younger... fantastic idea.

Yip, having the brightest minds live longer and so contribute more to the human race is definately a bad idea

 

[Geriatrix]

They should make a rule about this. If you get the meds you need to be sterilized.

Should be law!

 

[hyperian]

Yip, having the brightest minds live longer and so contribute more to the human race is definately a bad idea

It's the useless ones that don't contribute and draw benefits that are the problem

 

[Sherbang]

Where do I sign up for human trial testing?

They should make a rule about this. If you get the meds you need to be sterilized.

You're brave!

Repeating the trick in humans will be more difficult. Mice make telomerase throughout their lives, but the enzyme is switched off in adult humans, an evolutionary compromise that stops cells growing out of control and turning into cancer. Raising levels of telomerase in people might slow the ageing process, but it makes the risk of cancer soar.

 

[w1z4rd]

You're brave!

Yeah, I only expect human trials once they believe they have that bit under control

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Yip, having the brightest minds live longer and so contribute more to the human race is definately a bad idea

He does have a point though.

I don't mind improving the quality of life by curing nasty diseases, but overpopulation is a concern when prolonging lifespans.

Obviously it may not be a big problem if we decided to kill off every species of land animal to make room for ourselves, but even that's a short term solution. Every ecological imbalance will eventually impact on us anyway, unless we can colonise space. That's the only real application I can see in prolonging lifespans.

 

[w1z4rd]

He does have a point though.

I don't mind improving the quality of life by curing nasty diseases, but overpopulation is a concern when prolonging lifespans.

Obviously it may not be a big problem if we decided to kill off every species of land animal to make room for ourselves, but even that's a short term solution. Every ecological imbalance will eventually impact on us anyway, unless we can colonise space. That's the only real application I can see in prolonging lifespans.

Instead of perhaps looking for a solution that results in the death of all other life why not rather approach the problem more logically and look upwards? There`s more than enough space and resources out there for as many humans as you want. Also our extended lives will mean we will be able to live long enough to survive the transit between stars.

 

[Archer]

He does have a point though.

I don't mind improving the quality of life by curing nasty diseases, but overpopulation is a concern when prolonging lifespans.

Obviously it may not be a big problem if we decided to kill off every species of land animal to make room for ourselves, but even that's a short term solution. Every ecological imbalance will eventually impact on us anyway, unless we can colonise space. That's the only real application I can see in prolonging lifespans.

Well by practising any kind of medicine you are contributing to the over population problem. So lets ban every type of medicine then, let the physically weak die in old style natural selection.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Well by practising any kind of medicine you are contributing to the over population problem. So lets ban every type of medicine then, let the physically weak die in old style natural selection.

I think you're missing my point. Space exploration is the only practical application of extending lifespans right now. The ecological impact of overpopulation would eventually affect us on earth.

ITO medicine, even with the best medical care available, we still age and our lifespan is still limited. It does extend our lifespan to a degree, but nothing drastic. I see it as a means to ease suffering and provide a better quality of life.

 

[w1z4rd]

I think you're missing my point. Space exploration is the only practical application of extending lifespans right now. The ecological impact of overpopulation would eventually affect us on earth.

ITO medicine, even with the best medical care available, we still age and our lifespan is still limited. It does extend our lifespan to a degree, but nothing drastic. I see it as a means to ease suffering and provide a better quality of life.

Until we can fully map and understand the human brain. Cant wait till I can upload and download my consciousness

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Until we can fully map and understand the human brain. Cant wait till I can upload and download my consciousness

Immortality FTW

 

[Archer]

I think you're missing my point. Space exploration is the only practical application of extending lifespans right now. The ecological impact of overpopulation would eventually affect us on earth.

ITO medicine, even with the best medical care available, we still age and our lifespan is still limited. It does extend our lifespan to a degree, but nothing drastic. I see it as a means to ease suffering and provide a better quality of life.

So again, is letting the brightest scientists not one of the practical applications of this currently?

And in response to the medical thing. Lets think a bit here... People alive around 1900 had a life expectancy of ±30-45. In 1950 it was around its ±60, is that not drastic, a near doubling of life expectancy (15-30 years)?. So whats the problem with overpopulation? The strain it places on resources correct? So... In 1950 the people from 1900 were already dead, hence no longer using resources. But right now, the average person born in 1950 is still alive, and hence still using resources. So medicine played a huge role in getting this blue sphere of ours nice and crowded. So now why reject this piece of medicine, when the rest of medicine is already doing a dam fine job over populating the earth? And this result should hardly be surprising to anyone really. The whole freakin point of medicine has always been to let people live when they would otherwise have died.

 

[Geriatrix]

Until we can fully map and understand the human brain. Cant wait till I can upload and download my consciousness

It would be interesting to see the human minds behaviour when it's not influenced by biological impulses and needs. No more food, sleep, sex, social ques...
Hmmm....

 

[PsyWulf]

Dinosaurs had the perfect answer,hit a certain age,to the volcano you go!

 

[Archer]

Dinosaurs had the perfect answer,hit a certain age,to the volcano you go!

Well if they didnt how else would it have rained

 

[w1z4rd]

It would be interesting to see the human minds behaviour when it's not influenced by biological impulses and needs. No more food, sleep, sex, social ques...
Hmmm....

Yeah. You made me think. Would we have the will to continue to exist without that biological stimulation (or emulation in this case). I mean if we cant feel happiness would be want to stop living? If we can emulate how do we stop abuse of them so that our happiness does not become boring? Interesting thoughts...

 

[TheHiveMind]

So when the earth is over populated, scientists decide to research anti-aging stuff, making us live longer and stay younger... fantastic idea.

The West has a negative birth rate. It is the right time for us to be looking into these things. Certain places in the world just need to catch up.