New research shows that antiretroviral drugs can lower biological age. These medications, originally developed for the treatment of HIV, block the copying process of so-called retrotransposons. Retrotransposons are pieces of DNA that can multiply and spread within our genome. They have been linked to the ageing process because they cause damage to the DNA.
In young cells, these retrotransposons are usually suppressed by the body. As we get older, that suppression decreases and these pieces of DNA become active. That can lead to inflammation and damage to our cells. The research shows that a specific antiretroviral drug can reduce this activity, resulting in a lower biological age.
The tests were conducted on healthy adults without HIV, looking at changes in biological age, a measure that indicates how fast the body ages. One combination of medications showed a positive effect, while another combination did not. This means that the precise composition of the therapy is important for success.
These findings open a new pathway for anti-ageing treatments. By suppressing the activity of harmful DNA elements, we may potentially age more slowly and thereby grow old more healthily.
This research confirms the importance of new strategies to combat ageing and improve quality of life at a later age.
Source: Reason
