Scientists working to develop anti-aging medicines aren’t simply interested in improving fine lines or decreasing risk, they’re striving to halt biological processes which lead to diseases like cancer and cardiovascular issues.
Researchers report in Aging Cell that they have created a drug that does just this: Rilmenidine. This molecule clears away older cells without turning them into stem cells, as it targets proteins involved in aging processes.
Rilmenidine
Researchers have long sought ways to slow the effects of aging and extend lifespans, with promising results. Recently, however, they have made a breakthrough discovery: an antihypertensive medication called Rilmenidine may also prolong lives by helping lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. Available only with valid prescription, the drug can be purchased under brand names Albarel, Iterium or Tenaxum for maximum effect – though dosage and frequency must be closely monitored as it can lead to dizziness and dry mouth side effects as well as sudden increases in blood pressure.
Researchers published their research in Aging Cell on January 20, 2023 and discovered that rilmenidine extended C. elegans’ lifespan while improving various health markers, mimicking effects similar to low-calorie diet. Furthermore, the team identified key signaling receptors like NISH-1 that contributed significantly to its effects. As such it represents an attractive target for future longevity drugs.
Rilmenidine is an oxazoline compound that works on imidazoline and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors to create a central nervous system depressant that inhibits norepinephrine release, helping lower blood pressure and heart rate while being well tolerated by adults. With few gastrointestinal side effects and typically taken once per day in tablet form as prescribed for adults. Children and the elderly may receive smaller dosages.
Rilmenidine can not only lower blood pressure, but it has other therapeutic benefits as well. These include decreasing the risk of glaucoma and protecting kidney damage. Furthermore, it has been found to decrease cholesterol levels while simultaneously improving insulin sensitivity; and in some instances even reversing diabetes-related nerve damage.
Although rilmenidine shows promise as an anti-aging drug, its development is still at an early stage. Researchers remain hopeful that it can provide modest longevity benefits to humans; additionally, its combination with other anti-ageing therapies could enhance their efficacy further.
ABT-263
New drug targeting senescent cells could speed the healing of older skin. According to research published in Aging, applying ABT-263 – a senolytic drug designed specifically to target these “zombie” cells – to aged mice’s skin removed the “zombie” cells that had built up and promoted faster healing, as per study findings published by Aging. Researchers believe that using this approach for clearing away senescent cells may also speed recovery post surgery or chronic wounds in people with aged skin.
ABT-263 belongs to a class of drugs known as senolytics, which selectively destroy senescent cells. As people age, senescent cells accumulate in their bodies and release proinflammatory signals while slowing tissue repair. By targeting and killing these senescent cells with these drugs, senolytics aim to reduce inflammation while encouraging new tissue formation. According to study authors, eventually this approach could also be used for cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration treatments.
Scientists conducted the current study using ABT-263 on aged mice for five days. After this treatment, their skin showed less signs of senescence and healed more rapidly when researchers created small wounds; by day 24, 80% of wounds in ABT-263-treated mice had closed, as opposed to only 56% for untreated mice; additionally, gene activity related to collagen production, blood vessel growth, tissue remodeling and remodeling increased significantly among ABT-263 mice versus those not treated.
Researchers found that topical administration of ABT-263 avoided systemic toxicity as measured by platelet counts; however, since human skin permeability differs from mouse skin, predicting whether ABT-263’s topical administration would also avoid systemic toxicity can only be determined with a PK study.
The team will next investigate whether ABT-263 can increase fertility in aged mice. Ovaries of aged mice displayed intense PSR-positive staining and thick PSR-positive fibers in the tunica albuginea region – two hallmarks of ovarian senescence and ovulation impairment in mice. ABT-263 proved capable of clearing away these cells while also restoring normal ovulation rates; suggesting that targeted treatments with senolytic agents may help enhance reproductive health and restore fertility.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a type of medication designed to aid weight loss and control by working by targeting specific parts of your brain that suppress appetite and signal you when to feel satisfied. Additionally, Semaglutide may reduce heart disease risk in people living with type 2 diabetes and should be injected subcutaneously weekly; your doctor can teach you how. When injecting, use a different injection site each time; always wash your hands beforehand and after taking this medicine.
This medication should not be taken by pregnant women as its effects remain unknown and birth defects could potentially arise during gestation. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, notify your physician immediately. It may interfere with certain blood tests for glycerol and cholesterol levels so it’s wise to speak to your healthcare provider prior to scheduling any blood work done.
Dependent upon your condition, depending on its severity you may need to temporarily stop taking or adjust the doses of this medicine. Your physician will help determine which dose is right for you and you should avoid other medicines containing lactose, aspirin or sulfa drugs while on this treatment; please inform them of all medicines being taken, especially nonprescription and herbal treatments.
As prescribed by your physician, it is imperative to follow his or her instructions exactly. They will prescribe an appropriate dosage and instruct on how best to inject this medicine. Before injecting, always inspect the solution; it should be clear, colorless, and free from particles; otherwise contact your physician immediately.
As a diabetic, it is vitally important that you monitor your blood sugar level regularly while taking this drug and undergo liver function testing for abnormalities. Furthermore, this medication should not be taken by those who have had thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, and you should try not to come in contact with other individuals who share similar conditions as yourself.
Yamanaka factor
Scientists have developed a revolutionary anti-ageing treatment known as partial cellular reprogramming that may allow cells to behave more like those found in younger people. Life Biosciences recently received FDA clearance to launch a phase 1 clinical trial using this technology for human use and may help reverse certain eye diseases. Gene therapy using modified Adeno-associated virus to deliver OCT-4, SOX-2 and KLF-4 genes encoding these three proteins from Yamanaka factors that were originally developed to reprogram adult cells into stem cells is known to restore DNA methylation patterns – one proposed cause of aging.
Epigenetic marks in older individuals and animals vary considerably from those found in younger ones, due to environment, lifestyle choices, and time. Researchers have long dreamt of being able to change this, and one team led by Izpisua Belmonte succeeded by injecting Yamanaka factors every two days for seven to 10 months into progeric and normal mice for seven or 10 months, until blood and brain cell measurements revealed that those treated with Yamanaka factors behaved much more like their younger counterparts.
Researchers discovered that this technique worked to rejuvenate damaged retinal cells, improving age-related vision issues and lowering cholesterol levels. Furthermore, liver and heart cells also underwent rejuvenation; however, results weren’t as powerful as when applied directly to retina cells; possibly due to using only OSKM instead of all four Yamanaka factors (c-Myc gene being potentially cancerogenic).
Scientists continue to improve their results by optimizing chemical cocktails used and devising new ways of administering them. For instance, they’ve discovered that OSKM needs lots of vitamin B12 in order to work and adding it can make OSKM even more effective. Their goal is to develop synthetic versions of Yamanaka factors that can be taken without antibiotics being necessary.
