Substance makes mice live longer, but hardly slows down the aging process
The drug rapamycin is known to increase lifespan in mice. Whether rapamycin slows down aging, however, remains unclear. A team of researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München has now found that rapamycin extends lifespan – but its impact on aging itself is limited. The life-extending effect seems to be related to rapamycin’s suppression of tumors, which represent the main causes of death in these mouse strains. The findings are reported in the current issue of the “Journal of Clinical Investigation” (published online on July 25, 2013).
The body’s repair mechanisms begin to fail with increasing age. As a result, signs of wear and tear appear and the risk for many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and cancer, increases. “Current efforts to develop therapies against age-related diseases target these disorders one by one,” says Dr. Dan Ehninger, research group leader at the DZNE site in Bonn. “Influencing the aging process itself may be an alternative approach with the potential to yield broadly effective therapeutics against age-related diseases.”
In this context, the substance rapamycin is noteworthy. Rapamycin is used in recipients of organ transplants, as it keeps the immune system in check and can consequently prevent rejection of the foreign tissue. In 2009, US scientists discovered another effect: Mice treated with rapamycin lived longer than their untreated counterparts. “Rapamycin was the first drug shown to extend maximal lifespan in a mammalian species. This study has created quite a stir,” says Ehninger.
For Ehninger and his team, this finding motivated further studies: “We wanted to address if rapamycin slows down aging in mice or, alternatively, if it has an isolated effect on lifespan – without broadly modulating aging.”
Not a youth elixir
Together with scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum München and other colleagues, Ehninger’s group investigated if rapamycin influences aging in mice. The results are sobering: “Our results indicate that rapamycin extends lifespan, but it has only limited effects on the aging process itself,” is Ehninger’s summary of the findings. “Most aging traits were not affected by rapamycin treatment. Although we did observe positive effects on some aging traits, such as memory impairments and reduced red blood cell counts, our studies showed that similar drug effects are also seen in young mice, indicating that rapamycin did not influence these measures by slowing aging, but rather via other, aging-independent, mechanisms.”
The researchers believe that such aging-independent drug effects also underlie rapamycin’s effect on lifespan. “We assume that the lifespan of mice is extended because rapamycin inhibits tumor formation. This is a well-known rapamycin effect, which we were able to confirm. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the relevant mouse strains” says the specialist in molecular medicine. “Rapamycin, therefore, seems to have isolated effects on specific life-limiting pathology, but lacks broad effects on aging in mice.”
A comprehensive assessment of aging
The research team assessed more than 150 traits, which typically change during the course of aging. These analyses included an assessment of vision, reflexes, cardiovascular function, learning and behavior, immune functions and the integrity of the arterial wall, to just name a few. “Aging is a complex process, which cannot be captured by assessing a single parameter. This is why we analysed a large number of structural and functional signs of aging,” explains Ehninger. “The present study is one of the most comprehensive assessments of a putative anti-aging intervention.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Rapamycin
- Why Is Biodexa (BDRX) Up 70% Today?on April 26, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Oncology specialist Biodexa inked a compelling licensing deal to treat a serious disease, and BDRX stock popped sharply higher.More From InvestorPlace The #1 AI Investment Might Be This Company You’ve ...
- Dow Surges Over 200 Points; Microsoft Shares Gain Following Upbeat Earningson April 26, 2024 at 11:50 am
U.S. stocks traded higher toward the end of trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 200 points on Friday. The Dow traded up 0.57% to 38,303.11 while the NASDAQ rose 2.01% to 15,925.77. The ...
- S&P 500 Gains 1%; Exxon Mobil Posts Downbeat Earningson April 26, 2024 at 9:06 am
U.S. stocks traded higher midway through trading, with the S&P 500 gaining around 1% on Friday. The Dow traded up 0.41% to 38,243.14 while the NASDAQ rose 2.00% to 15,923.52. The S&P 500 also rose, ...
- Biodexa Enters Into Exclusive License to eRapa™, a Phase 3 Ready Asset for the Treatment of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)on April 26, 2024 at 7:30 am
Biodexa Enters Into Exclusive License to eRapa™, a Phase 3 Ready Asset for the Treatment of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Worldwide rights come with $17 million in non-dilutive grant funding ...
- Science is closing in on the frailties of old ageon April 26, 2024 at 6:00 am
Research is finding way to extend animal lifespans but regulators are still wary of treating ageing as a disease ...
- Could delaying menopause boost women's health? 1 woman shares her storyon April 25, 2024 at 10:56 am
A new study examines whether delaying menopause can help women's health, including reducing heart disease, osteoporosis, mood changes, hot flashes, dementia.
- Freedom Biosciences Announces FDA Approval of IND Application for FREE001 in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depressionon April 25, 2024 at 5:29 am
FREE001 is being developed as an adjunctive treatment in adults with TRD who have an inadequate response to at least 2 antidepressant treatments. The main objectives of this Phase 2a dose-ranging ...
- Experimental Ovarian Tissue Freezing Could Delay Menopause, but Experts Are Weighing the Riskson April 22, 2024 at 5:00 am
Extracting, freezing and retransplanting slices of hormone-producing ovarian tissue could postpone menopause, but some experts say it’s not effective enough—or necessary ...
- Social Media Claims This FDA-Approved Pill Can Slow Down Aging. Can It?on April 16, 2024 at 4:01 am
Age discrimination is rampant, and beauty standards favor youth. So it’s no wonder that people do anything they can to push back on aging, whether that’s using Botox for fewer wrinkles, hair dye to ...
- Ketamine's rapid impact on depression linked to immune system pathwayson April 15, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Study reveals ketamine's potent anti-inflammatory effects on neurological disorders, showing promise for treating major depressive disorder through modulation of neuroimmune pathways.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Rapamycin
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Rapamycin” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Anti-aging
- Have mature skin? Derms say these retinol serums are great for anti-agingon April 26, 2024 at 1:56 pm
What is retinol serum? | Retinol safety | Best derm-approved retinol serums | What to expect | How we chose | Meet our experts Much like other retinol products, retinol serums are sought after for ...
- California Bill To Ban the Sale of Anti-Aging Cosmetic Products to Children and Preteens Passes Key First Hurdleon April 25, 2024 at 7:29 am
California Bill To Ban the Sale of Anti-Aging Cosmetic Products to Children and Preteens Passes Key First Hurdle ...
- ‘My holy grail for eyeshadow primer,’ shoppers rave about anti-aging makeup that ‘smooths wrinkles’ and ‘lasts all day’on April 25, 2024 at 6:21 am
IF your eyeshadow looks creased and crepey after applying, this product may be able to help. Sephora shoppers have shared rave reviews for a “holy grail” makeup primer. Urban Decay ...
- Reviewers Say This Anti-Aging Tanning Serum Gives Them the ‘Prettiest Sun-Kissed Glow’on April 25, 2024 at 12:09 am
If you're looking for a quick and easy yet natural tan, this serum goes on smoothly and gives you gorgeous color that develops in just hours.
- Anti-aging biopharma company raises $40 million to begin human testson April 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm
California-based biopharmaceutical company Rubedo Life Sciences has announced that thanks to US$40 million in financial backing, it can commence human trials of its drug RLS-1469, designed to target ...
- Do preteens really need anti-aging creams? How desire to remain forever young takes tollon April 24, 2024 at 7:50 am
My granddaughter is not an outlier. The news media have reported how skincare experts are warning parents that preteens are buying anti-aging treatments they don’t need and that may actually be ...
- Cosmetic doctor warns against viral anti-aging hacks – including 2 seemingly benign ingredients that can make skin worseon April 24, 2024 at 4:22 am
REDNESS and chemical burns can appear on the skin after using DIY treatments that involve certain cooking ingredients, says a cosmetics doctor. She warned against copying viral hacks that boast of ...
- The 11 Best Anti-Aging Serums for Firmer, Brighter Skin, According to Real Womenon April 24, 2024 at 4:15 am
Anti-aging serums can be an aid during this physical change, which starts when collagen production drops in our 20s. Just as daily vitamins bridge nutritional deficiencies, anti-aging serums “deliver ...
- I’m a dermatologist & you need 5 rock stars in your routine – don’t skip the ‘gold standard in anti-aging skincare’on April 23, 2024 at 4:41 am
A DERMATOLOGIST has shared the vital skincare elements to achieve a youthful complexion. She said everyone needs the five rock stars in their routine for a dewy glow. But don’t take ...
- The Wealthy Anti-Aging Influencers in Search of Eternal Youthon April 19, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Aging can be a dispiriting process, but does it have to happen... These influencers are spending millions of dollars to try and stave off the effects of passing years.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Anti-aging
[google_news title=”” keyword=”anti-aging” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]