Lifespan Extension Successful In Animals Being Tested On Humans

The mice that were on the  lifespan extension drugs had a more youthful appearance than the normal aging mice and developed fewer cancers. The medicated mice also had improved muscle function, healthier fur, and leaner figures. They also scored better on multiple other measures of frailty.

To test the lifespan expansion drug, the scientist teams at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore conducted two experiments involving a protein called interleukin-11.

This protein increases in our bodies as we age and has been linked to high levels of inflammation, essentially hastening the pace and effects of aging. So, targeting these proteins could slow the aging process.

The first group of mice were genetically engineered to be unable to produce interleukin-11 while the second group were normal mice that were given the lifespan extension drug at 75 weeks old (roughly 55 in human years).

The drugs administered were designed to purge interleukin-11, so both groups were essentially given ways to rid interleukin from their bodies or live without it altogether. The results showed a 20-25% increased lifespan depending on the sex of the mice and the experiment.

In short, it seems like these experiments indicate that controlling interleukin-11 levels could indeed lead to lifespan extension – at least in mice. But would it work in humans? Right now, patients with lung fibrosis are already taking medications that attack interleukin-11 in clinical trials.

So far, the drugs seem to be safe to take, but more research will certainly be needed to understand if these drugs can cause a lifespan extension in humans. Unlike mice, which have much shorter lifespans, it may be a while before we’re able to see if these medications have the same 20-25% effect on humans.

Still, Professor Stuart Cook, a researcher for the study, said that human trials would “definitely” be worth doing and that he was even prepared to take the medications himself.

Professor Cook also pointed out that anti-interleukin-11 drugs would likely be more viable for people than other ways we’ve discovered that slow the aging process.

Scientists have previously found that significantly cutting calories for lab animals results in slowing the aging process, though this seems much less sustainable for humans.

Cook pointed out the shortcomings of this type of lifespan extension, saying “Would you want to live from the age of 40, half-starved, have a completely unpleasant life, if you’re going to live another five years at the end?”

Perhaps this solution could end up being an effective method for lifespan extension in humans, but it remains to be seen for now.

There’s also the cost of medications like this to consider, as it may not be viable for everyone to get this kind of drug if it ever becomes approved for use.

Still, it’s certainly interesting to see and it seems likely there will be plenty more research after these findings.

Source: BBC