Found a new way to slow down aging – study

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Getting rid of two toxic by-products of fat that naturally build up over time could be the key to stopping aging and losing a few pounds, according to a new study. A University of Virginia study published in the past month in the peer-reviewed journal Current Biology, suggests that longer life can be extended by detoxifying the glycerol and glyceraldehyde that we naturally accumulate as we age.

Researcher Eileen Georgelin O'Rourke said the team's discovery was unexpected. She explained that it was previously believed that the key to a long life was the activation of autophagy – a process that renews the damaged and obsolete elements of our cells.

“We followed a very well-founded hypothesis that the secret to longevity is the activation of a cellular rejuvenation process called autophagy, and as a result, we discovered an unknown mechanism for prolonging health and lifespan,” – she said. “An exciting aspect of the discovery is that the key to turning on this longevity mechanism is the activation of two enzymes that are very well studied due to their role in ethanol detoxification. This knowledge greatly facilitates our search for substances. which can specifically activate this rejuvenating process”.

The team studied microscopic worms called C. elegans, which are commonly used in biomedical research because they share more than 70% of the same genes as humans. They found that the health and lifespan of the worms improved by 50% without any increase in autophagy. Instead, the researchers used a method on worms called AMAR, which means immortality in Sanskrit.

By inserting the spurs into a gene called adh-1, the scientists found that they could trigger an age-slowing response. This caused the gene to produce more of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which prevents the harmful effects of glycerol and, indirectly, glyceraldehyde, leading to longer, healthier worm lives. Eventually, the test was done on humans who had a similar delay in aging. They found that the results were consistent across all models.

O'Rourke expressed her hope that AMAR would be used more frequently in therapy.

“Because age-related diseases are now are a major burden on the health of patients, their families and the healthcare system, the most effective way to reduce this burden and increase the number of years of independent healthy life for all of us,” she said.

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