Experimental Drug Shows Promise in Extending Lifespan, Raises Hopes for Human Application

[Social Media]

 

A groundbreaking experimental drug has been shown to extend the lifespan of mice by 25%, raising the possibility that similar treatments could benefit humans. The drug, an antibody known as anti-IL-11, was administered to mice in middle age and demonstrated significant health benefits, including a reduction in cancer-related deaths and fewer incidences of diseases linked to fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and poor metabolism—conditions often associated with aging.

 

Professor Stuart Cook, a senior scientist on the study, shared his enthusiasm about the findings. "These findings are very exciting. While these findings are only in mice, it raises the tantalizing possibility that the drugs could have a similar effect in elderly humans. The treated mice had fewer cancers and were free from the usual signs of aging and frailty, but we also saw reduced muscle wasting and improvement in muscle strength. In other words, the old mice receiving anti-IL-11 were healthier."

 

 

Visual evidence provided by the researchers highlighted the stark differences between untreated and treated mice. The untreated group displayed greying fur patches, hair loss, and weight gain, while those that received the antibody injections retained glossy coats and demonstrated greater activity levels. This study was conducted collaboratively by researchers from the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Science (MRC LMS), Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore.

 

The mice received the antibody injection at 75 weeks old, roughly equivalent to a human age of 55 years. The treated mice went on to live an average of 155 weeks, which is 35 weeks longer than the untreated group, as reported in the journal Nature. Remarkably, the drug showed very few side effects. Professor Cook noted, "Previously proposed life-extending drugs and treatments have either had poor side-effect profiles, or don't work in both sexes, or could extend life, but not healthy life—however, this does not appear to be the case for IL-11."

 

The antibody works by inhibiting the action of the IL-11 protein, which is believed to play a role in the aging of cells and body tissues in both mice and humans. Professor Cook elaborated, "The IL-11 gene activity increases in all tissues in the mouse with age. When it gets turned on it causes multimorbidity, which is diseases of aging and loss of function across the whole body, ranging from eyesight to hearing, from muscle to hair, and from the pump function of the heart to the kidneys."

 

The scientific community has long sought ways to slow the aging process, aiming to help people remain healthier for longer periods. Aging is often accompanied by multiple diseases, significantly impacting quality of life and imposing substantial costs on healthcare systems like the NHS. Other approaches, such as the diabetes drug metformin and severe calorie restriction, have shown promise in early studies, but their long-term effectiveness and safety remain under investigation.

 

However, the notion of 'treating' aging remains controversial among some scientists. Ilaria Bellantuono, professor of musculoskeletal aging at the University of Sheffield, expressed caution: "The problem with all these interventions is that we do not have evidence in patients. Although trials are underway in the USA, there are scientific hurdles to overcome to use these interventions in patients, such as understanding who is at risk of frailty and would benefit from the intervention. It is unthinkable to treat every 50-year-old for the rest of their life. Every drug has side effects and there is a cost associated with it."

 

Despite the challenges, the potential implications of anti-IL-11 are profound. If similar effects can be replicated in humans, this drug could revolutionize the approach to aging and extend not just lifespan but healthspan—the period of life spent in good health. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for the elderly, reducing the burden of age-related diseases and enhancing overall health and vitality. As research progresses, the scientific community remains hopeful that treatments like anti-IL-11 will pave the way for a healthier, longer life.

 

Credit: Sky News 2024-07-19

 

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[Tug]

Very cool wouldent that be cool to live a healthy active life at 125 years old!!

[stoner]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Very cool wouldent that be cool to live a healthy active life at 125 years old!!

 

imagine what a couple doses could do for your boy. make biden great again !! 

[thaibeachlovers]

Too many people on the planet already and they want to increase the number of geriatrics- brilliant- NOT.

 

In any event IMO it's only be the rich that will get to use it. I'm sure the governments of the west don't want to be paying the pensions for millions any longer than they have to.

[Tug]

3 hours ago, stoner said:

 

imagine what a couple doses could do for your boy. make biden great again !! 

But but but Biden……you need to try a bit harder the rest of your coworkers will be ashamed of you 

[youreavinalaff]

9 hours ago, Tug said:

Very cool wouldent that be cool to live a healthy active life at 125 years old!!

So long as people realise the state pension age will need to rise.

[stoner]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

But but but Biden……you need to try a bit harder the rest of your coworkers will be ashamed of you 

 

it is true then. democrats have 0 sense of humor. 

[placeholder]

On 7/19/2024 at 5:09 AM, stoner said:

 

it is true then. democrats have 0 sense of humor. 

Or that you have a very lame one.

[Yellowtail]

On 7/19/2024 at 4:09 PM, stoner said:

 

it is true then. democrats have 0 sense of humor. 

Indeed

[stoner]

4 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Or that you have a very lame one.

 

ya no. i know i'm funny. whereas i have tried to help teach a few blue magas on here about humor and wit....alas it falls on biden ears.

 

 

[placeholder]

21 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

ya no. i know i'm funny. whereas i have tried to help teach a few blue magas on here about humor and wit....alas it falls on biden ears.

 

 

That "joke" of yours is the kind of formulaic thing that could have been created by a bot. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that score and just note that you need to get better acquainted with yourself.