US researchers at the Salk Institute in California are saying that reversal of ageing in mammals is possible, but it could take around 10 years to work on human trials and confirm if it will effectively work for people as well.
With the use of an innovative technique that restores adult cells to their embryonic state, these researchers demonstrated how ageing can be reversed in mice. The technique not only allowed the prematurely ageing animals to look younger but extended their lifespan by 30 percent as well. Additionally, it facilitated faster healing for damaged organs in these animals, according to MINA.
The Telegraph posted that the breakthrough technique involves the stimulation of four genes that are predominantly active while still developing inside the womb. They also found it to be effective in turning the clock backwards on human skin cells in the lab, making them look and behave younger altogether. Scientists expect to finally come up with a drug, which can imitate the effect of these genes and allow people to age slowly or even result in reversal of ageing.
"Our study revealed that ageing may not have to proceed in only a single direction," said Dr Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in Salk's Gene Expression Laboratory. "Through careful modulation, aging can very likely be reversed." And while they acknowledge that it is going to be more complicated to rejuvenate a person, they also found out that ageing is such a dynamic and plastic process. As such, it is more open to therapeutic interventions contrary to their previous beliefs.
As people get older, they become susceptible to age-related diseases like dementia plus the increased risk for cancer and heart problems. However, if the body is allowed to stay younger for longer, then people will be able to stay away from many deadly diseases for many years. If the breakthrough works in humans the same way that it did in mice, then people can expect to live until they are over 100 years old.
A few days earlier, Jobs & Hire also reported about Big Pharma being keen on discovering new remedies for chronic ailments.
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