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October 16, 2016
Scientists have identified a compound that may delay physical ageing processes and prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Previous research has shown that a main process in ageing is the capacity of the cells to keep our genes, our DNA, more or less intact. However, changes in the cells’ power stations, the mitochondria, also affect ageing processes.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the National Institute of Health in the U.S. have shown that the co-enzyme NAD+ bridges the gap between two main ageing theories — repairs to the DNA and poor functioning mitochondria.
“Our new study shows an age-dependent decrease in the level of NAD+, and this decrease is far greater for organisms with early ageing and a lack of DNA repairs,” said Vilhelm Bohr from the National Institute of Health. “We were surprised to see that adding NAD+ postponed both the ageing processes of the cells and extended life in worms and in a mouse model,” said Mr. Bohr.
The researchers bred mice and roundworm with the illness Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) for the purpose of the study, which appears in the journal Cell Metabolism.
In Ataxia patients, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordination gradually degenerates, DNA repairs are lacking, and they experience other symptoms characteristic of early ageing.
Drop in NAD+
“We know from previous studies that a drop in the level of NAD+ results in metabolism errors, neuro-degeneration and ageing, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear to us,” said Mr. Bohr. “Our new study stresses that the substance NAD+ plays a main role both in maintaining the health of the cells’ power stations and in their capacity for repairing the genes,” he said. The study was conducted on model organisms. —
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/new-compound-that-delays-ageing-identified/article9225541.ece
Scientists have identified a compound that may delay physical ageing processes and prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Previous research has shown that a main process in ageing is the capacity of the cells to keep our genes, our DNA, more or less intact. However, changes in the cells’ power stations, the mitochondria, also affect ageing processes.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the National Institute of Health in the U.S. have shown that the co-enzyme NAD+ bridges the gap between two main ageing theories — repairs to the DNA and poor functioning mitochondria.
“Our new study shows an age-dependent decrease in the level of NAD+, and this decrease is far greater for organisms with early ageing and a lack of DNA repairs,” said Vilhelm Bohr from the National Institute of Health. “We were surprised to see that adding NAD+ postponed both the ageing processes of the cells and extended life in worms and in a mouse model,” said Mr. Bohr.
The researchers bred mice and roundworm with the illness Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) for the purpose of the study, which appears in the journal Cell Metabolism.
In Ataxia patients, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordination gradually degenerates, DNA repairs are lacking, and they experience other symptoms characteristic of early ageing.
Drop in NAD+
“We know from previous studies that a drop in the level of NAD+ results in metabolism errors, neuro-degeneration and ageing, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear to us,” said Mr. Bohr. “Our new study stresses that the substance NAD+ plays a main role both in maintaining the health of the cells’ power stations and in their capacity for repairing the genes,” he said. The study was conducted on model organisms. —
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/new-compound-that-delays-ageing-identified/article9225541.ece
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