In the first experiment, researchers gave mice a type of chemical and observed whether it had any effect on aging; discovered that after administration of the aforementioned “youth medicine”, the older ones had the same effects as six-month-old mice. In another experiment, the injection of Yamanaka factor, a mixture of four molecules, into mice also showed a rejuvenation trend in animal cells.
Although these studies, which aim to reverse aging and rejuvenate, are now being tested on mice, scientists predict that this effect can be seen in humans with further studies and tests.
Because the researchers knew that mutations were irreversible, they didn’t think it was possible in the first place to reverse this process, as mitochondrial DNA mutates with age.
prof. Dr. Sinclair and his group began by trying to remove the SIRT 1 gene from mice in their lab, with the idea that this was unlikely. Mice with the SIRT 1 gene removed soon began to show signs of aging.
The professor and his team were surprised to find that most of the mitochondrial proteins remained at normal levels, even though the mouse mitochondria were disrupted by the gene removal process. Only those encoded by this organelle genome had a decreasing trend.
Stating that this situation is against the scientific world, the researchers discovered that the molecule called NAD (Nicotine Amide Dinucleotide) transfers information and coordinates between the cell nucleus and the mitochondrial genome.
The flow between the mitochondria and the genome in cells was quite healthy, and the role of the SIRT 1 gene at this point was merely mediation.
The reason for the decrease in adequate NAD level with age has not been determined definitively yet. Without enough NAD in the body, the SIRT 1 protein could not remove the structure called HIF-1, and in this case, the increase of HIF-1 caused a chaos in the cross-gene interaction.
In short, this interaction disorder causes the cell to lose its ability to produce energy and invites aging and some diseases.
The deterioration experienced in this case causes the mitochondria to lose their function rapidly and to show signs of aging.
Observing these developments, scientists discovered that by increasing the amount of NAD produced in cells, they could rapidly increase mitochondria function. If enough of this substance was taken daily, some of the problems that come with aging could be shelved.
In addition, it was determined that the HIF-1 protein has an important relationship with cancer. Under normal conditions, HIF-1 activates when the body is deprived of oxygen and remains silent until old age. In this direction, it was stated that the increase in the risk of cancer as aging occurs depends on the HIF-1 protein.
However, scientists underline that DNA damage or shortening of telomeres will never change over time, and that this drug is not a “treatment for aging” alone.
Another researcher who continues to work on the subject, Dr. “There is no single factor to treat, as aging has many factors. That is why it is very difficult to treat all the factors of aging.” stated that.
Conducting this research from the very beginning, Prof. Dr. Although Sinclair and his team want to start experiments in a few years; Dr. Gomes emphasizes that more research and studies need to be done before this treatment can be tested in humans.
prof. Dr. Tim Spector shares the same view: “The finding that some parts of the aging process are reversible is very exciting. But there’s a big difference between experiments on mice and proving that aging can indeed be reversed in humans without side effects.”
The researchers are now also looking at the long-term consequences of the NAD-producing compound in mice and how it affects the mouse as a whole.
In addition, studies are ongoing whether the compound can be used to safely treat rare mitochondrial diseases and more common diseases such as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
prof. Dr. Sinclair also plans to influence his studies whether the compound will give mice a healthier and longer life.
In another experiment on mice to reverse aging, researchers in the US created a type of gene therapy that regenerates aged cells and makes them younger than the biological markers used to measure the effects of aging.
Stating that many age-related diseases can benefit from this approach, scientists stated that if they can be 100% sure that this gene therapy can combat health problems, this finding could contribute greatly to the medical world.
This experiment aimed to regenerate adult cells from mice into young stem cells that can form nearly any tissue in the body, with a mixture of four molecules known as Yamanaka factors.
The researchers discovered that mice that received Yamanaka factors for several months resembled younger animals in many ways, particularly their skin and kidneys.
Experiments when animals were 12 to 15 months old confirmed that rejuvenation was more effective when performed over a long period of time in the 7-10 month range, while failing to do so for 1 month.
However, scientists who continue their research and work on the experiment are not yet very sure about testing Yamanaka factors on humans. This is because reprogrammed cells are likely to cause the formation of cancerous tissue clumps called teratomas.
While the final phase of studies has largely shown that tissues can rejuvenate without such risks, experts think new drugs may be needed to partially reprogram cells effectively and safely, rather than using Yamanaka factors to rejuvenate older people.
Research groups aim to reverse aging and minimize the risks in these applications and continue to work on the timing, combination and dose of Yamanaka factors.
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