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Scientists have discovered a drug that extends the lifespan of laboratory animals by nearly 25%. This drug, which has been dubbed the "supermodel granny" treatment, made treated mice appear younger, healthier, and more resistant to cancer compared to untreated ones. The research, led by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School, focuses on a protein called interleukin-11. Elevated levels of this protein are linked to increased inflammation and ageing.
Researchers conducted two experiments: one involved genetically engineering mice to lack interleukin-11, and the other involved administering a drug to remove interleukin-11 from older mice. Both experiments resulted in significantly increased lifespans and improved health indicators in the mice. The findings, published in Nature, show that treated mice had better muscle function, healthier fur, and lower cancer rates.
Professor Stuart Cook, one of the researchers, believes the data is robust and suggests trialling the drug in humans could be transformative. However, it remains uncertain if the drug will have the same anti-ageing effects in humans.
Interleukin-11 has roles in early human development, affecting bone fusion, joints, and teeth. The drug in question, a manufactured antibody, is currently being tested for lung fibrosis treatment, showing preliminary safety.
This research is part of a broader effort to combat ageing through drugs. Other drugs, like metformin and rapamycin, are also under investigation for their potential to slow ageing. Professor Anissa Widjaja, also at Duke-NUS Medical School, expressed optimism about the relevance of these findings to human health, while Ilaria Bellantuono acknowledged the solid data but pointed out challenges, such as the cost and practicality of long-term treatment for ageing.
Overall, the discovery marks an important step in understanding and potentially manipulating the ageing process, although significant hurdles remain before such treatments could be applied to humans.
