Scientists discover that slowing the ageing of fish intestines can also slow the ageing of the whole organism
How can you extend your life by slowing down the aging process of an organ like the intestines? Researchers at CNRS have found a way to prolong the life of zebrafish through reactivating a particular gene in intestinal cells. The results will be published in Nature Aging, on May 4, 2023.
The intestine is crucial to the anti-aging process and general health. Elie Metchnikov, who lived over a century ago observed that increased inflammation in the intestines and microbial invasion within blood circulation caused aging. As we age, our digestive tract becomes less effective as a barrier. This allows bacteria and unwanted particles to enter the body, which can lead to accelerated aging.
In a new study, Miguel Godinho Ferreira and his team at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (Ircan) in Nice (CNRS/Inserm/Universite Cote d’Azur) have studied the impact on aging of telomere length in the intestinal cells of zebrafish. In humans, chromosome ends shrink more rapidly in the intestine over the course of life than they do in other organs. This is why aging plays such a significant role.
Source:
https://phys.org/news/2023-05-aging-intestine-fish-entire-scientists.html
