In an interview with the state-run Science and Technology Daily, Liu said the research team analyzed single cells and identified a unique group that developed around aging motor neurons in the spinal cords of older primates.
“These different cell clumps must have a specific life purpose. Our further investigation reveals that they secrete ‘toxic’ proteins that contribute to accelerated aging of motor neurons.” ,” he said.
How to prevent osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women
How to prevent osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women
According to the paper, the cell mass releases a protein called chitinase 1 (CHIT1), which activates specific signals and accelerates the aging process in motor neurons. This protein is normally present in very low concentrations in the human body.
CHIT1 helps the body fight pathogens that contain chitin, but in some situations it can be activated and multiply thousands of times, causing inflammation and damage, the researchers found.
The study observed that an excess of this “toxic” protein in monkeys’ cerebrospinal fluid can damage motor function and promote other signs of aging.
Although motor neurons make up only about 0.3 to 0.4 percent of all spinal cord cells, they play a major role in regulating body movement. Controls the body’s motor functions by controlling skeletal muscles throughout the body.
“Our study also confirms that motor neurons are the most sensitive cells in the spinal cord with respect to aging,” the paper states.
Although this finding is based on animal studies, the researchers showed that increases in CHIT1 are also observed in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of older people, who experience a similar phenomenon as they age.
The researchers hope that their findings could open the door to the prevention and treatment of a variety of age-related chronic diseases, based on the mechanisms that cause spinal cord aging.
After identifying the “culprit,” researchers next determined whether targeting this protein could reverse the aging process in the spinal cord, which plays a key role in the autonomic activity and motor function of essential organs. I set out to determine.
According to the paper, the researchers found that they could actually block this process by activating neutralizing antibodies, key “warriors” of the immune system that target CHIT1, potentially leading to the development of new treatments. This suggests a possible strategy.
The hidden scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine revealed
The hidden scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine revealed
Researchers also tested whether vitamin C plays a role in reducing signs of aging. Daily diet supplements have been around for decades, but claims of anti-aging benefits have not been clearly proven in clinical trials.
In a three-year study, researchers randomly divided 10 cynomolgus monkeys between the ages of 17 and 18 into two groups to test the effects of vitamin C.
One group received 30 mg/kg of vitamin C in drinking water every day for 40 months after breakfast. Other monkeys were given the same amount of drinking water without supplements as a control.
Researchers reported a “significant” improvement in aging-related indicators in motor neurons in older monkeys, suggesting that oral vitamin C supplements may be beneficial.
Beauty enthusiasts want single-ingredient skin care, not fancy formulas
Beauty enthusiasts want single-ingredient skin care, not fancy formulas
The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system and is responsible for many motor functions of the body’s trunk and extremities, as well as transmitting neural information between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.
As the spinal cord ages, people over the age of 60 experience a rapid decline in motor skills and an increased likelihood of falls. However, it is also a major factor in the comorbidity of multiple chronic diseases among the elderly.
Statistics show that people over the age of 65 experience at least one fall per year on average, and 20-30% of falls result in an injury that significantly impairs quality of life.
At the same time, aging of the spinal cord can cause multiple organ systems to malfunction, resulting in problems such as arrhythmias, blood pressure abnormalities, and shortness of breath.
Gu Feng, a biologist specializing in gene editing and genetic diseases who was not involved in the study, said motor neurons represent “a major, perhaps most important category of cells in the spinal cord.” Stated.
“As people age, signs of aging appear in many ways, including in the muscles, skin, and organs such as the ovaries. Also, clearly important is the aging of the nervous system,” he said.
“The nervous system is a very important part when studying the mechanisms of aging, and I think their research has led to many novel and valuable discoveries.”
By identifying new cell types and subsequent potential interventions, this relatively comprehensive study has “huge implications” for future anti-aging treatments, Gu added.