Which one of us hasn’t dreamed of living forever? With recent advances in modern technology, we may soon be taking one step closer to that dream. The reality is that we might never achieve immortality, yet we shall soon be able to extend our lifespan significantly. A recent study involving a new anti-aging drug showed significant promise by extending the lifespan of laboratory mice by 25%! (1)
Results of the Anti-Aging Study
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School undertook the research, which was published in Nature. In the study, anti-IL -11 antibodies were administered to 75-week-old mice, the age equivalent of 55 years of age in humans. The study’s results were rather significant, with the treated mice showing a lifespan extension of 25% in females and 22.5% in males. While the untreated mice only lived to around 120 weeks, the treated mice lived to 155 weeks on average. There was a noticeable decrease in cancer-related deaths in those treated. There was also a marked reduction in diseases such as chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and poor metabolism. Significantly, the researchers in the study observed only minimal side effects.
The Difference Between Lifespan and Healthspan
The groundbreaking study proved that blocking the interleukin 11 (IL11) gene could extend the lifespan and health span of the mice. The term ‘lifespan’ refers to the total number of years that an individual has lived, from the day they are born to the day they die. Healthspan refers to the period in an individual’s life that is free from any physical ailments or serious diseases. Therefore, we can say that both the quality and quantity of life are extended in treated subjects.
Promising Results Regarding Cancers and Anti-Aging
This new drug does not appear to have any of the usual limitations associated with other life-extending treatments. These limitations typically include negative side effects, only working in one gender, or extending lifespan but not healthspan. The treated mice did not show signs of frailty or aging. Not only was there a reduction in muscle wasting, but also an increase in muscle strength. There are already clinical trials for humans involving anti-IL-11 treatments, but these trials are currently for other conditions. For many years it was thought that the IL-11 gene was anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory, but a trial in 2018 demonstrated that it was pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory. (2)
The IL-11 Gene’s Role in Aging
While the IL-11 gene is vital for the regeneration of limbs in certain species, it was long regarded as redundant in humans – an evolutionary hangover of sorts. Yet, it has been observed that after 55 years of age, there is an increase in the production of IL-11 in humans. (3) This increase has been linked to various ailments, such as fibrosis in organs, chronic inflammation, sarcopenia, cardiac fibrosis, metabolic disorders, and frailty. All of those ailments named are typically regarded as symptoms of aging. Studies have shown that when mice age, production of IL-11 gene activity increases in all tissues, leading to individuals experiencing several conditions at once, termed ‘multimorbidity’. This manifests as various diseases related to age, as well as a decline in all bodily functions, such as hearing, vision, hair, muscle strength, kidneys, and heart function.
The Study Indicates an Improvement in Frailty
However, researchers cannot claim an overall improvement in multimorbidity based on this study alone. Unlike humans, mice don’t naturally develop the chronic diseases we typically suffer from but instead show decreased organ function. For instance, unless genetically modified, mice don’t naturally develop diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and atherosclerosis. (4) Therefore, without human clinical trials, it is hard to determine exactly how we will react to the same treatment. No treatment currently exists for multimorbidity outside of individually addressing each underlying cause.
Human Studies Regarding Anti-Aging in the Future
While researchers exclusively tested this treatment on mice, they still feel that their findings are likewise relevant to human health. This is because they had also observed the effects in studies of human tissue and cell samples. Their research is regarded as a vital step toward unraveling the mysteries of aging, with their research conclusively proving that treated mice stayed healthier for longer and lived longer. This is due to the reduction of frailty and other physiological symptoms of aging in those treated.
The Bottom Line on Anti-Aging
No one wants to grow old and frail. However, if this study is anything to go by, then it is only a matter of time until we have a treatment that helps slow the aging process. With breakthroughs in anti-aging treatments involving anti-IL-11 genes, many of our ailments linked to aging may soon be a thing of the past. However, one should not rely on such a treatment to start making a difference in one’s health. Everyone can start the anti-aging process today by applying certain lifestyle changes. These changes include eating healthy, getting proper exercise, resting well, and staying away from toxic environments. (5)
Sources
- “Inhibition of IL-11 signalling extends mammalian healthspan and lifespan.” Nature. Anissa A. Widjaja, et al. July 17, 2024.
- “IL-11 is a potential therapeutic target in cardiovascular fibrosis.” Nature. Irene Fernández-Ruiz. November 30, 2017.
- “Interleukin-11 signaling underlies fibrosis, parenchymal dysfunction, and chronic inflammation of the airway.” Nature. Benjamin Ng, et al. December 2020.
- “The Flaws and Human Harms of Animal Experimentation.” NCBI. Aysha Akhtar. October 2015.
- “What Do We Know About Healthy Aging?” NIH.
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