Rodent of the week: Finding the root cause of aging

Researchers believe they have identified a fundamental cause of aging, according to a study published this week in the journal Cell. The mechanism was previously found in fungus and has now been discovered in mice. It's likely that the same process applies to humans, said the authors of the research, from Harvard.

The study found that DNA damage, which accrues as we age, decreases a cell's ability to regulate which genes are turned on and off in particular settings. Though DNA damage speeds up aging, the actual cause is not the DNA damage but the lack of gene regulation. However, this lack of gene regulation, called epigenetics, may be reversible.

The study focused on a group of genes called sirtuins that are involved in the aging process. Sirtuins respond to DNA damage to repair it but appear to become overwhelmed as DNA damage accumulates during aging. When DNA damage accumulates, the sirtuins became too distracted to properly regulate gene activity. This was found in yeast about 10 years ago. The new study shows it also occurs in mice.

But when stimulated by either the chemical in red wine, resveratrol, or by caloric restriction, sirtuins appear to function better. In the study, researchers administered extra copies of the sirtuin gene, or fed resveratrol to mice that were genetically altered to develop lymphoma. That extended their lifespan by 24% to 46%.

"We see here, through a proof-of-principal demonstration, that elements of aging can be reversed," said one of the researchers, Philipp Oberdoerffer, in a news release.

-- Shari Roan

Photo credit: Advanced Cell Technology Inc.

Comments

[Gene Trumbo]

I don't expect to live in this skin forever, but I think we are on the verge of extending our lives in relative good health and function to 120 years. The Bible and science seem to agree that this is the limit. Being almost 60 myself, the prospect of living 60 more years instead of 20 basically triples my remaining life.
But life has to end at some point to make room for a new generation.
I don't think we will ever know from science what caused the Big Bang. I don't believe we will find a permanent cure for aging--nor should we. But living life well
in a healthy body for the maximum theoretical lifespan is an achievable goal in my lifetime, I think. Or I could die in a car wreck tomorrow. Uncertainty is the price for being alive. I know I beat out a billion other sperm cells to get here, so I have beaten the odds so far. Why not be optimistic?

[GDI]

Very interesting article, I wonder how close we really are to people being able to live in their hundreds? And, if we achieve this ability, how many people will actually want to?

[sonarman]

....or by caloric restriction" seems to support my premise that Macrobiotic life while lean is so worthwhile. Get that BMI down and live long and well!

[Resveratrol Wines]

This is really great news, especially for red wine lovers!

[S. Gupta]

Since the Harvard resveratrol study on aging by Dr. Sinclair was published in the journal Nature a flood of dubious companies have sprung up selling resveratrol. Many have no scientist, no labs, no quality control and no experience. Dr. Oz recommends Biotivia Bioforte and Transmax. Consumer Lab, an independent testing authority, evaluated the major brands and found many lacking in content and quality. The highest potency products that passed their evaluation were Biotivia, Transmax and Bioforte. A product by Life Extension Co. failed badly with only 26% of the claimed resveratrol. Another brand, Revatrol, had virtually no trans-resveratrol in its supplement. Revgenitics refused to provide samples for testing. The ConsumerLab test results are available on their web site.

[Jamie Diamond]

Resveratrol can help you to lead a long and healthy life so says Dr. Oz.
Red wine alone does not supply enough resveratrol to achieve the
full range of benefits because one glass of red wine has only about
1mg of resveratrol and you need about 250mg/day. You need to take
high potency resveratrol supplements to achieve the results documented
in scientific studies.Resveratrol Supplements can also help you control
your weight naturally by increasing energy, reducing cravings, and limiting
your appetite.According to Wikipedia, Consumer Lab, an independent dietary
supplement and over the counter products evaluation organization,
published a report on 13 November 2007 on the popular resveratrol
supplements. The organization reported that there exists a wide range
in quality, dose, and price among the 13 resveratrol products
evaluated. The actual amount of resveratrol contained in the
different brands range from 2.2mg for Revatrol, which claimed to have
400mg of "Red Wine Grape Complex", to 500mg for Biotivia.com Transmax,
which is consistent with the amount claimed on the product's label.
Prices per 100mg of resveratrol ranged from less than $.30 for
products made by Biotivia.com, jarrow, and country life, to a high of
$45.27 for the Revatrol brand.