Recent developments and current trends in human longevity
Age-related diseases and aging have become one of the greatest challenges with respect to financial burden and social status. Based on current evidence and a review of over 100 years of scientific experience, the concept of aging has received criticism owing to growing population of elderly and age-related diseases that act as a burden to the economy. An international workshop entitled, ‘Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?’ was conducted in Italy with an objective to provide a consensus on the discovery and development of safe interventions for aging in humans with the help of biologist and genetic scientist. Based on expert panel and consensus statement, 6 interventions were claimed to be safe and useful to prevent again in humans which are as follows: (i) The inhibition of the IGF-1/GF axis (ii) TOR -S6K pathway pharmacological inhibition (iii) Fasting mimicking diets and protein restriction (iv) chronic metformin use (v) Inhibition of inflammation through pharmacological interventions and (vi) Concept of sirtuin protein regulation coupled with the use of epigenetic and spermidine modulators (Longo VD, et al. 2015).
The scientific committee at the workshop have assessed and led to the conclusion that a series of indicators such as biomarkers for safety, efficacy, and critical pro-aging mechanisms be developed. Based on the consensus, b2-adrenergic receptor (b2AR) signalling pathway, Meso-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), Statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Hexosamine pathway and glycobiology, retrotransposable elements, stem cells are newer modalities that are explored in the field of aging (Longo VD, et al. 2015).
I am overwhelmed with the progress of stem cells in the field of aging. It has been scientifically proven that the reversal of age-related defects in stem cell stability is possible along with the prevention of carcinogenesis during aging. The concept of stem cell is under study to assess regeneration and rejuvenation within cells (Patel & Demontis, 2014).
References
Longo VD, et al. (2015). Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready? Aging Cell. 2015 Aug;14(4):497-510.
Patel VK, Demontis F (2014) GDF11/myostatin and aging. Aging (Albany NY). 6, 351–352.
