A team of scientists from the University of Auckland recently conducted a study on the effects of a drug called alpelisib on the lifespan of mice.
The drug is currently used to treat cancer, but the researchers wanted to investigate whether it could also have an impact on aging.
The study involved feeding a group of healthy mice a control diet, while another group was fed the same diet with the addition of alpelisib.
The mice were treated with the drug from middle age (one year) for an extended period of time.
The results showed that the mice fed the drug-containing diet had an average lifespan increase of 10%, living for around three years on average.
In addition, they also exhibited some signs of improved health in old age, such as better coordination and strength.
Despite these promising results, the researchers are cautious about the application of the drug to humans. While it has been shown to increase lifespan in mice, it also had some negative markers of aging, such as lower bone mass.
Furthermore, the drug has some side effects that could be harmful if taken long-term.
However, the study is significant as it sheds light on the mechanisms that contribute to aging and offers potential avenues for treating age-related diseases.
The drug targets an enzyme called PI 3-kinase, which is believed to play a role in cancer and aging.
Scientists have been working on developing drugs to target PI 3-kinase for over two decades, primarily for cancer treatment.
This study offers evidence that these drugs could be useful in other areas as well, such as increasing lifespan and treating metabolic health conditions.
The researchers note that further research is needed to fully understand the effects of alpelisib on aging and to identify any potential risks associated with its use.
However, the study provides an important step forward in the age-old quest for immortality and offers hope for improving human health and longevity.
In addition to this study, recent research has shown that animal protein may be better than plant protein for aging muscles.
Another study found that olive oil may help people live longer, while vitamin D has been shown to reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Overall, these findings highlight the importance of investing in long-term research into the mechanisms of aging and disease, as well as exploring new treatments and therapies to improve human health and extend lifespan.
If you care about pain, please read studies about why cholesterol-lowering drug statins can cause muscle pain, and new device to treat pain without using drugs.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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