Researchers are currently developing drugs that can slow down the ageing process. They are focusing on inhibiting a specific protein, the IGF-1 receptor. This protein plays a role in cell growth and maintenance. By inhibiting this, ageing in mice appears to slow down gradually.
This approach aligns with previous research showing that growth hormone regulation and calorie restriction can influence lifespan. For example, mice in which the growth hormone receptor gene has been modified live up to 70 percent longer. In humans, this effect is less pronounced, but the health benefits of a modified diet or medication are clearly noticeable.
The research currently still focuses on medicines that are not immediately suitable for humans due to side effects. Nevertheless, these studies show that it is possible to influence ageing processes via the IGF-1 receptor. This is a promising avenue for keeping cells and organs healthy for longer.
Developing such medicines is important, because simply getting older cannot be stopped. However, slowing down and improving health during ageing can make many people's lives more pleasant. After all, ageing is a complex process in which various mechanisms work together.
This type of research helps us to better understand how we can age more healthily and what we might be able to achieve with medication in the future.
Source: Reason
