Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore found that blocking the production of the protein interleukin-11 (IL-11) reduces the risk of poor health during aging and increases life expectancy. Research results published In the journal Nature.
In studies on mice, the team found that levels of the IL-11 protein increase in organ and tissue structures as we age, contributing to fat accumulation in the liver and abdominal cavity, as well as decreased muscle mass and strength, two hallmarks of aging.
To confirm that interleukin-11 (IL-11) does in fact actively promote aging, scientists blocked its production in rodents using a specific drug. They found that reducing IL-1 concentrations improved metabolism by encouraging the production of healthy brown fat instead of white fat. Brown fat normalizes blood sugar levels and also helps maintain optimal body temperature and burn calories. Blocking IL-11 was also found to improve muscle function and overall health.
In addition to these externally observable changes, the IL-11 anti-aging treatment also reduced the rate of telomere shortening and preserved the health of the mice’s mitochondria (specialized cellular structures) while increasing their ability to produce energy.
According to scientists, such changes in the body indicate a decrease in the risk of diabetes, sarcopenia, heart disease and excess fat accumulation.
Researchers hope that in the future, interleukin-11 blocking drugs will enter clinical practice as tools to help promote healthy aging. However, implementing such an idea and conducting clinical trials in this area is a difficult task.
Earlier scientists was created Game app that protects against mental aging.