Key points from article :
Mitochondria plays an important role in aging.
A process called mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) repairs mitochondria and benefits cell survival.
Scientists think it is possible to increase lifespan by identifying drugs that activate UPRmt.
"Drugs may slow down aging and mitigate or prevent its negative effects on health," - Eriko Kage-Nakadai, co-author of the study.
Metolazone, a drug used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.
Tested the drug on Caenorhabditis elegans and found that it increased wild-type worm lifespan.
Metolazone did not extend lifespans in worms with mutated genes atfs-1, ubl-5, and nkcc-1.
Drug's UPRmt-related effects possibly span multiple species.
"We have revealed the potential of repurposing existing drugs for aging control," - Dr Kage-Nakadai.
Research by Osaka City University published in Biogerontology.
