Joao Pedro de Maglhaes, a professor at the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham in the UK, said that once senescent cells are eliminated from the body, people can live 1,000 years or more, the South China Morning Post reported on Saturday.
American biologist George William theorized in 1957 that aging was the result of genes that were programmed to be beneficial in youth, especially during the reproductive years, although over time they caused cellular and Degeneration of organs.
According to Demaghaas, if aging is programmed in our genetic material, then reprogramming cells of some of the genes involved in this biological process would suppress it.
This can be achieved by genetic manipulation, causing cells to enter a state called senescence, in which they do not reproduce but also do not die. However, the Portuguese-born microbiologist commented that so far, technology to halt aging at the cellular level does not exist, although it may be created in the future.
Thinking About an Anti-Aging Drug
Demagrath’s great-grandfather died of pneumonia, which was considered one of the leading causes of death in the 1920s. However, when the scientist suffered from the same lung disease as a child, he recovered with just a dose of penicillin.
From this incident came the idea that it might be possible to develop an anti-aging drug that would work in the same way as penicillin and cure infections in the short term.
The scholar mentioned that there is a quite promising compound called rapazimine, and laboratory tests have shown that it can extend the lifespan of mice by 10% to 15%. Likewise, he explained that the drug, used to treat some cancer patients, could slow down cell degeneration, which would imply an effect on aging.
However, side effects have been documented, ranging from swelling of the feet to dizziness. “The fact that aging is inherent in our biology and genetic code will make it more difficult to develop therapies,” Demaghaas said.
Information from RT