Scientists claim possible ‘anti-aging’ discovery
Date
7/21/2024 5:22:08 AM
(MENAFN) A groundbreaking study published in the British science journal *Nature* has unveiled a promising potential breakthrough in combating aging. Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and Imperial College London have found that blocking a protein known as interleukin-11 (IL-11) might significantly extend lifespan and prevent age-related health issues. The study, which was conducted on mice, revealed that elevated levels of IL-11, which increase with age, contribute to several aging-related conditions such as fat accumulation, muscle loss, hair loss, and cancer.
In the experiment, middle-aged mice were administered a drug designed to inhibit IL-11 using antibodies. The results were striking: the lifespan of both male and female mice increased by up to 25 percent. The treated mice exhibited improved overall health and vitality compared to those not receiving the treatment. Additionally, fewer than 16 percent of the treated mice developed tumors, a significant reduction compared to over 60 percent in the control group.
While the research was conducted on mice, the scientists are optimistic about the potential implications for human health. Anissa A. Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School expressed hope that the findings will be relevant to humans, given similar effects observed in studies involving human cells and tissues. Stuart Cook, a professor of cardiovascular medicine, emphasized the goal of making anti-IL-11 therapy widely accessible in the future, with the aim of enabling people around the world to lead longer and healthier lives.
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