Scientists discovered that inhibiting a protein called RANKL slows down ageing in mice with progeria, a disease that causes rapid ageing. RANKL normally plays an important role in the breakdown of bone tissue by certain cells, which helps in renewing bones. As people age, this process becomes unbalanced, which can lead to decalcification of the bones.
Medicines that work against RANKL are already used to combat bone loss in conditions such as osteoporosis. The new study shows that such inhibition can also extend lifespan and improve muscle function in mice with accelerated ageing. This suggests that RANKL may have functions other than just regulating bones.
Research is also being conducted into other agents that inhibit bone resorption, such as bisphosphonates, which may slow down ageing. These agents also appear to clear harmful senescent cells, which can be beneficial to health in old age. This reinforces the idea that tackling bone ageing can contribute to better overall health.
Although the research has mainly been conducted on mice so far, it offers hope for new therapies that can slow down ageing. Understanding this mechanism could help in the future to improve the quality of life at a later age and reduce age-related ailments.
This research underlines the importance of healthy bone metabolism in ageing and can contribute to better health at an older age.
Source: Reason
