Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in anti-aging research, developing a drug that could potentially extend human lifespans.
This new treatment targets a protein called interleukin-11 (IL-11), which has been linked to various age-related issues.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that inhibiting IL-11 in rats increased their lifespan by up to 25%. Professor Stuart Cook, co-corresponding author from the UK’s Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Science, explained the results:
“The treated mice had fewer cancers, and were free from the usual signs of ageing and frailty, but we also saw reduced muscle wasting and improvement in muscle strength. In other words, the old mice receiving anti-IL11 were healthier.”
The study involved two key experiments. First, scientists genetically modified rats to eliminate IL-11, which extended their lifespans by over 20% on average. The second experiment involved injecting an anti-IL-11 drug into normal rats, which produced even more impressive results.
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The treated rats, equivalent to 55-year-old humans, lived an average of 155 weeks compared to 120 weeks for untreated animals. Beyond just living longer, these rats showed remarkable improvements in various aspects of aging:
- Lower cancer risk
- No gray hair
- Improved vision
- Better muscle function
- Reduced muscle wasting
- Slower telomere shortening
Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that naturally shorten with age. Their degradation is associated with various age-related diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Inhibition of IL-11 signalling extends mammalian health and lifespan
“Deletion of Il11 or treatment with anti-IL-11 from 75-wk of age until death extend median lifespan of mice by nearly 25%”
Amazing piece of work by @AA_Widjaja, @StuartaCook1 🔥🔥https://t.co/3ARYLJnZuO pic.twitter.com/2dFiYed1zL
— Amro Hussien (@Amro_Hussien) July 17, 2024
The IL-11 protein has a long evolutionary history, inherited from fish some 450 million years ago. Previously thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, researchers discovered in 2018 that IL-11 actually promotes inflammation and tissue scarring.
While these results are promising, it’s important to note that the research is still in its early stages. Professor Cook cautioned, “While these findings are only in mice, it raises the tantalizing possibility that the drugs could have a similar effect in elderly humans.”
The path from laboratory success to approved human treatment is often long and complex. Professor Cook acknowledged the challenges ahead:
“Our aim is that one day, anti-IL-11 therapy will be used as widely as possible, so that people the world over can lead healthier lives for longer. However, this is not easy, as approval pathways for drugs to treat aging are not well-defined, and raising funds to do clinical trials in this area is very challenging.”
Despite these hurdles, there’s reason for optimism. Anti-IL-11 treatments are already in human clinical trials for other conditions. This could provide opportunities to study the drug’s effects on aging in humans sooner rather than later.
Professor Cook told the BBC that while these trials are ongoing, early data suggests the drug is safe for human use. This safety profile could potentially accelerate the drug’s path to further testing and eventual approval for anti-aging purposes.
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As research continues, this breakthrough offers hope for a future where people not only live longer but remain healthier and more active in their later years. The potential impact on healthcare, quality of life, and society as a whole could be profound if these early results translate to humans.
