5 replies to this topic

[motorcitykid]

In short, the article suggests that it might be possible to extend life in humans by acitivating the same pathway that scientists acitivated in roundworms(that sounds plausible), and by using the same means, antibiotics(IMO very questionable).

http://www.scienceda...30522131120.htm

[xEva]

Here is a better article on the same topic in The Scientist Inhibit Mitochondria to Live Longer? Reducing mitochondrial output increases lifespan in mice and nematode worms, according to research published in Nature. 

 

Quote (emphasis is mine):

 

...they found that reducing mrps-5 expression in the worms altered the ratio of mitochondrial- versus nuclear-derived proteins involved in ATP synthesis, a situation they termed “mitonuclear protein imbalance.” This.. activated the protective mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR). This explains how reducing mrps-5 expression can actually increase lifespan, said Auwerx. The unfolded protein response is “reparative, adaptive, and makes better mitochondria,” which help retard aging. Reducing expression of a gene involved in this stress response reversed the lifespan extension seen in worms with mrps-5 knocked down.

 

So, antibiotics that were used to suppress S5 production elicited a hormetic response which in turn led to better mitochondria.

 

But before you add yet another pill to your regimen, consider that fasting (i.e. not ingesting anything at all for a stretch) is probably the best method of inducing various types of repairs throughout.  

 

 

PS

in case you're interested, the drugs used were:

 

The researchers were also able to activate the mitochondrial UPR via pharmacological means. Dosing worms with the antibiotic doxycyline, which inhibits bacterial and mitochondrial protein translation, also activated the mitochondrial UPR and extended worm lifespans. Rapamycin, shown to enhance longevity in mice, also extended worm lifespan and induced mitonuclear protein imbalance and the mitochondrial UPR in mouse hepatocytes.

 

... long-term doxycycline use is toxic to humans, and rapamycin suppresses immune function so effectively that it’s given to transplant patients to prevent tissue rejection.

 

 

R. H. Houtkooper et al., “Mitonuclear protein imbalance as a conserved longevity mechanism,” Nature, 497:451-457, 2013.

Edited by xEva, 21 September 2014 - 02:21 PM.

[corb]

 

In short, the article suggests that it might be possible to extend life in humans by acitivating the same pathway that scientists acitivated in roundworms

 

 

A similar stimulation in an adult did not affect the worms' longevity."

 

So don't even try medicating yourself you'll be doing more harm than good.

 

As for how much it's going to extend human lifespan, we already know how optimizing metabolism scales between species

Worms and flies live 100% more.

Mice live 50% more.

Monkeys live 5%-7% more.

And in humans you'll get a whooping 2% following the same regression. If any. Our homeostasis is already superior to most organisms so these tweaks should not make a difference for us unfortunately.

[rwac]

At the very least this is an interesting counterpoint to the benefits of probiotics and gut bacteria in general.

[corb]

 

” This.. activated the protective mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR).

And what they fail to mention is :

1. People already have that mechanism working spledidly so we won't get jack out of it. Unlike the worm they experimented on because that type of worm was already known to live less than other types of worms.
2. UPR is suspected as the cause for most neurodegenerative disease.

3. Overaction of the same UPR mechanism is also now considered a cause of aging.

 

 

counterpoint to the benefits of probiotics

Not really, they didn't use the antibiotics to kill bacteria, they used it to inhibit mitochondria. For a very short while mind you.

[rwac]

 

 

counterpoint to the benefits of probiotics

Not really, they didn't use the antibiotics to kill bacteria, they used it to inhibit mitochondria. For a very short while mind you.

 

 

Well, apparently killing bacteria for a short duration isn't actively harmful, at the very least.

 

I suppose that bacteria isn't terribly useful in the first few weeks/months of life?