Ageing Mouse Longevity: Unveiling the Path to Extended Lifespans and Enhanced Health
In the realm of scientific research, the quest to extend lifespan while maintaining robust health has always been a topic of immense interest. Recent breakthroughs have shed light on potential treatments that could revolutionize our understanding of ageing and longevity. One such groundbreaking study demonstrated that removing specific inflammation-causing cells from mice every month significantly improved their heart health, physical function, and extended their lifespans. This method holds promise for extending the period of good health as mice age, potentially paving the way for new treatments in humans. The significance of this research lies not just in prolonging life but in ensuring that the extended years are marked by vitality and strength.
The University of Connecticut has been at the forefront of this research, showcasing a treatment that could extend life and vitality until the very end. Despite longer lifespans, many individuals experience a serious health decline in their last decade, often due to chronic illnesses and frailty. While existing interventions can prolong life, they do not necessarily improve overall health. The treated mice in the study lived 9% longer and retained their strength and walking speed until the very end of their lives. In humans, slower walking speed and weakened grip are associated with increased frailty, making these findings particularly relevant.
The researchers meticulously measured the health and physical function of the mice monthly from the equivalent of 60 human years until death. This approach allowed them to assess changes in health and physical function throughout the entire treatment period, even in the final stages of life. Despite being older at the time of death, the treated mice exhibited better physical function and overall health compared to the control group. This finding is significant because it extends both the maximum and average lifespan of the treated mice, suggesting a dual benefit of longevity and enhanced health.
The research team comprised scientists from the University of Connecticut Health, the University of Texas, Cedars-Sinai, and other prestigious institutions. The treatment involved removing highly inflammatory cells from tissues, specifically those actively expressing the gene p21. This monthly intervention increased both the maximum and average lifespan of the mice, with the oldest treated mouse living to be 43 months. The researchers are now focused on translating their findings to humans, with hopes that this treatment could potentially add 8 to 10 years of healthy old age.
This promising research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), and the Hevolution Foundation. It underscores the potential of targeted interventions in combating the detrimental effects of ageing. In addition to this groundbreaking research, the annual Perseids meteor shower in August offers a brilliant display of meteors and fireballs, providing a cosmic reminder of the wonders of the universe and the ongoing quest for knowledge.
Another pivotal study published in Nature delves into the role of a protein called interleukin-11 (IL-11) in ageing. Researchers suggest that inhibiting IL-11 may help mice live longer and healthier lives. This study moves beyond generalizations, aiming to understand the nuances of ageing. Just as looking at Earth from a distance reveals a blue dot, up close, we see details like mountains and cities. Similarly, ageing appears to lead to increased inflammation, contributing to health issues in old age. By teasing apart these specific details, researchers hope to develop more targeted interventions.
The study by Widjaja et al. explores how inhibiting IL-11 can slow age-related changes in mice. This suggests that targeting one node of the inflammatory pathway can have a significant impact on the ageing process. Published in Nature, this study is crucial for further understanding ageing and inflammation. The authors argue that the current trend of targeting general mechanisms to slow ageing may not be as effective. Instead, focusing on specific details of ageing could lead to more effective strategies for promoting healthy ageing.
Inhibiting IL-11 may also reduce age-related illnesses and improve overall health. While the study was conducted on mice, further research is needed to determine if these results can be replicated in humans. The authors emphasize the need for more research in the area of ageing and inflammation, suggesting that targeting specific nodes in the inflammatory pathway could be a more effective strategy for promoting healthy ageing. This study represents an important step towards understanding the complexities of ageing and developing targeted interventions.
Another notable study published in Cell Metabolism revealed that a new treatment could potentially lengthen life and improve vitality in older individuals. As human lifespans have increased, there remains a decline in health during the last decade of life. Many interventions exist to extend life, but not necessarily with good health. Researchers showed that a group of mice lived 9% longer when given monthly treatments, with increased strength and mobility. This study measured various physical and health metrics monthly in mice from middle age until their death, providing comprehensive insights into the ageing process.
The treated mice remained strong and mobile until the end of their lives, despite being older than the control group at the time of death. This approach allows for the assessment of overall health status leading up to death, often the frailest stage of life. The findings demonstrate that lifespan can be extended with good health in mice. Two groups of mice were studied, one receiving monthly treatments to remove inflammatory cells and the other serving as a control. Highly inflammatory cells were defined as those actively expressing a specific gene. The study involved researchers from multiple institutions and found that the treatment extended both maximum and average lifespan in mice.
There is ongoing work to determine if these results can be applied to humans. If successful, the treatment could potentially add 8-10 years of healthy old age. Most people desire a long life but do not wish to be decrepit in old age. Chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can lead to frailty in old age. The study by University of Connecticut researchers focused on measuring physical function and overall health in mice throughout the treatment period. The findings are significant due to the continuous measurement and record-keeping involved, highlighting the potential for improving health and extending lifespan in humans.
Furthermore, a study published last month discovered a potential pathway for extending life. In an animal study, mice given a drug to inhibit a specific protein associated with ageing lived 25% longer and had a lower risk of cancer. While the results are not yet directly applicable to humans, researchers are eager to continue studying what contributes to ageing and how to reduce the risk of early death. The study focused on a protein called interleukin-11 (IL-11) and its impact on ageing. As we age, the amount of this protein in our bodies increases, leading to inflammation and an increased risk for chronic conditions and early death.
The study was carried out by researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, Imperial College London, and MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. In one experiment, mice were genetically engineered to not produce this protein, while in another, they were given a drug to reduce its buildup. In both cases, the mice lived longer, had better metabolic and muscle function, and showed fewer signs of frailty. On average, male and female mice that did not produce the protein lived over 24% longer. A drug that inhibits IL-11 extended the lifespan of male mice by 22.5% and female mice by 25%. The researchers believe that anti-IL-11 therapy, which has a good safety profile, could potentially be used to extend human lifespan and healthspan.