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First Robust Demonstration of Extended Life Span Reported

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First Robust Demonstration of Extended Life Span Reported

Researchers at the Buck Institute for Age Research in California have, for the first time, demonstrated that the life span of an organism can be extended by the use of synthetic drugs. The authors tested the theory that reactive oxygen species are responsible for the damage that is caused to tissues from aging. They augmented the natural antioxidant systems of a nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, using a small synthetic dismutase/catalase mimetic. The enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, are involved in the removal of toxic reactive oxygen species. Worms that had been treated with the drugs had their life span increased by a mean of 44%, and treatment of worms aging prematurely resulted in the normalization of their lifespan. These results support the belief that oxidative stress is a major determinant of life span, something that has been previously demonstrated in studies on fruit flies (see interview with Dr. John Phillips in the June 2000 issue of Geriatrics & Aging). More importantly, these studies show that the aging process can be counteracted through pharmaceutical intervention.

It is hoped that these drugs could be used to stave off diseases that are associated with old age, such as Alzheimer disease and Parkinson's. The researchers are continuing their studies on the anti-aging therapy in mice, and preliminary results appear to show that the drugs are extending the mouse life span. Next year the scientists hope to test the drugs in clinical trials of elderly patients who have suffered a stroke.

Source

  1. Melov S, Ravenscroft J, Malik S, Gill MS et al. Extension of Life-Span with Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics. Science 2000, 289(5484):1567-1569.
Related Terms: Other, life span