Ageing

Anti-ageing Research

• Anti-ageing Genes - Evolutionary theory and some crude experiments suggest that hundreds of genetically determined biochemical pathways (cascades of molecular interaction) influence longevity. It is relatively easy to prolong life span - in worms, at least - by changing hormone levels and enhancing the effects of fewer than 100 genes. Some of the target genes produce antioxidants; some make natural microbicides; some are involved in transporting fats throughout the body, and some, called chaperones, "keep the cell components in good working order". This kind of finding has opened the door for a neutraceutical company, Elixir, which is trying to develop a drug that would yield the same kind of results for humans (as in worms).



• Anti-ageing Alleles - A useful way to find alleles that might affect ageing would be to compare the genetic makeup of normal animals and of those displaying deferred ageing. Scientists will not only have to identify hundreds or thousands of alleles that occur most frequently in long-lived subjects, they will also have to decipher the biological functions and unique features of the corresponding proteins. The collected technologies needed to perform these tasks fall under the rubric of "functional genomics", which is very much a work in progress.



• Calorie Restriction without Dieting - It is known that calorie restriction can prolong life span in yeast, fruit flies, and mice by 70%. In fact, calorie restriction is an extremely effective strategy for survival during lean times, when it's an imperative, not a choice. The organism then waits till the end of the famine, then goes on to reproduce again. But since few people particularly want to limit their calories drastically. Scientists are searching for a pill that will have the same effect without dieting. A company called Sirtris is expected to get the drugs into clinics by 2010.



• New Anti-ageing Supplements - It is found that the combination of two chemicals - the acetyp-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic - normally found in the cells (and also sold separately as nutritional supplements) can promote the performance of rats on problem-solving and memory test. These rats also moved around with more ease and energy. Researchers determined that the combination of these chemicals had improved the function of mitochondria, which serve as a cell's main energy source. A company called Juvenon plans to begin human trials soon to evaluate the cognitive effects of the dual supplements. Other chemicals such as lipoic acid is found to protect human tissue culture from oxidation when iron or hydrogen peroxide was added. The same company will try to replicate the result in human subjects. The goal of these researches is to add a few more years to people's lives.



• Interventions Testing Program - Currently in 2009, three different US institutions - the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine - are running drug tests for prolonging lifespan. These drugs include:
  1. Rapamycin - a drug used to suppress the immune system is found to be mimicking the effects of dietary restriction.
  2. Resveratrol - a compound found in red wine and thought to have beneficial effects on the heart.
  3. Simvastatin - one of a family of compounds called statins, also used for heart conditions.
  

Drug Normal Usage Anti-ageing Effect Side Effect(s) Testing Rapamycin Immunity suppression in organ transplant Life span extension up to 14% High doses seem to associate with pre-diabetic state Yeast, worms, mice Everolimus Treatment for certain cancers Reversal of immune deterioration associated with ageing High doses induce fatigue and mouth ulcers People > 65 years old Metformin Medicine for type2 diabetes Life span extension to around 5% See list Small animals Aspirin Reducing risk of heart disease Countering inflammation associated with ageing Gastrointestinal ulcers Animals Statins (Lipitor) Reducing risk of heart disease Countering inflammation associated with ageing Risk of high blood pressure and diabetes Animals

Table 06 Anti-ageing Drugs

Figure 18 Anti-ageing Foods

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