Key points from article :
Epigenetics looks at changes in genetic information that do not alter the sequence of the genes.
Possibility is changes in proteins called histones, which package the DNA in our cells.
Researchers studied the epigenome of mesenchymal stem cells which are found in bone marrow.
They compared the epigenome of stem cells from young and old mice.
Epigenome changes significantly with age, genes important for bone production are affected.
They treated isolated stem cells from mouse bone marrow with a solution containing sodium acetate.
Cell converts the acetate into a building block that enzymes to increase access to genes.
Researchers studied human mesenchymal stem cells from patients after hip surgery.
Cells from elderly patients suffered from osteoporosis showed the same epigenetic changes as mice.
Peter Tessarz, group leader says "...order to exclude possible risks and side effects"
Research by Max Planck Society and University of Cologne published in Nature Aging.
