An incredible discovery has been to make scientists of US
Biologists from the University of California were able to reverse the aging process in cells, fruit flies, increasing the level of a protein called Drp1. It was found that this protein increases the lifespan of insects from 10% to 20%.
Experts hope that this discovery will lead to the development of drugs that mimic this effect in people with age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, and will increase the life expectancy of people that they remained healthy to the end of his life.
During testing, the researchers focused on the mitochondria – the tiny energy “batteries” inside cells that control their growth and determine the life span. With age, mitochondria become damaged, they accumulate in the brain, muscles and other organs. When cells are unable to eliminate damaged mitochondria, they become toxic and cause various age-related diseases. Scientists have removed the damaged mitochondria from the cells by breaking them down into smaller particles. After treatment female flies lived 20% longer, while the life expectancy of males increased by 12%.
The study highlights the importance of Drp1 protein, levels of which decline with age in flies and mice. To break the mitochondria into smaller particles, the team increased the protein levels of Drp1 in the body of the insect. The result flies get rid of damaged mitochondria, and in their body were only healthy mitochondria.
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