As we age, harmful senescent cells accumulate in our bodies. These cells stop dividing and release inflammatory signals that are useful in the short term to address problems. Over time, however, they cause chronic inflammation and tissue damage, which contributes to age-related diseases.
Our immune system normally clears away these senescent cells. In younger people this still works well, but as we get older that clearing capacity declines. This leads to an increase in these harmful cells in the body, with adverse consequences for our health.
Scientists are looking for ways to slow down or stop this process. They are experimenting with drugs that can selectively clear out ageing cells, so-called senolytics. Unfortunately, there is still little large-scale research because of the limited commercial value of existing agents such as dasatinib and quercetin.
An alternative approach aims to suppress the inflammatory signals of ageing cells rather than removing them entirely. New research shows that targeting the cell's power plants, the mitochondria, offers possibilities for curbing this inflammation. This can help to reduce tissue damage and chronic inflammation associated with ageing.
These developments are encouraging for anyone wanting to age healthily, as they offer new opportunities to better manage age-related inflammation.
Source: Reason
