Or, BBC says, at least the symptoms of aging, like wrinkles and cataracts. Mayo Clinic researchers may have found a fountain of youth:
The study, published in Nature, focused on what are known as “senescent cells”. They stop dividing into new cells and have an important role in preventing tumours from progressing.
These cells are cleared out by the immune system, but their numbers build up with time.
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The animals would age far more quickly than normal, and when they were given a drug, the senescent cells would die.
The researchers looked at three symptoms of old age: formation of cataracts in the eye; the wasting away of muscle tissue; and the loss of fat deposits under the skin, which keep it smooth.
Researchers said the onset of these symptoms was “dramatically delayed” when the animals were treated with the drug.
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Dr Jan van Deursen told the BBC: “We were very surprised by the very profound effect. I really think this is very significant….
“If you can prime the immune system, boost it a little bit, to make sure senescent cells are removed, that might be all it needs.”