Professor Gordon Lithgow concluded that metformin - a drug of reducing blood sugar levels - can influence life expectancy. Animals have already successfully passed studies in slowing the aging process with the help of metformin, reports The Telegraph. For instance, life expectancy of mice, that were given the drug, has increased by almost 40%, and their bones become stronger.
Thereafter, the Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead to test the drug on humans. It will begin in 2016. 3000 volunteers, not suffering from diabetes and aged 70-80 years will be selected for the test. The purpose is to see whether the drug is able to effectively deal not only with the level of sugar in the blood, but with the aging process as well. The researches will investigate reactions of the human body at different dosages and courses of treatment.
So far, it is known that patients with diabetes, who were prescribed metformin, on average lived for 8 years longer than those without prescribed medication. Scientists from the University of Cardiff released these data in 2014.
- I've been on aging for the past 25 years. Earlier, the idea that we will conduct studies of this drug in humans seemed unthinkable. This is a real revolution, - said Gordon Lithgow.
In the case of successful trials of metformin, future physicians will not have to treat the cancer, dementia and other age-related diseases alone. Suppressed be the aging process itself, which involves age-related pathologies.
According to Gordon Lithgow, aging is not an inevitable process, since the cells contain the DNA blueprint that can maintain proper body functioning permanently. For example, a number of sea creatures does not age at all. "Even 20 years ago, aging was a mystery to us. Today, we begin to understand how it comes, "- said the scientist. Metformin can increase number of oxygen molecules in the body's cells. This increases their durability and reliability.
According to one of the world's most famous experts in the field of aging, Dr Jay Olshansky, of the University of Illinois Chicago, discovering of metformin as a source of longevity may be "the most important in the modern era": "If we can slow down aging, it will be a breakthrough. People will grow old, but at the same time feel young. "
Today, the average life expectancy in the US is 82.8 years for women and 78.8 for men.
source: telegraph.co.uk
Thereafter, the Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead to test the drug on humans. It will begin in 2016. 3000 volunteers, not suffering from diabetes and aged 70-80 years will be selected for the test. The purpose is to see whether the drug is able to effectively deal not only with the level of sugar in the blood, but with the aging process as well. The researches will investigate reactions of the human body at different dosages and courses of treatment.
So far, it is known that patients with diabetes, who were prescribed metformin, on average lived for 8 years longer than those without prescribed medication. Scientists from the University of Cardiff released these data in 2014.
- I've been on aging for the past 25 years. Earlier, the idea that we will conduct studies of this drug in humans seemed unthinkable. This is a real revolution, - said Gordon Lithgow.
In the case of successful trials of metformin, future physicians will not have to treat the cancer, dementia and other age-related diseases alone. Suppressed be the aging process itself, which involves age-related pathologies.
According to Gordon Lithgow, aging is not an inevitable process, since the cells contain the DNA blueprint that can maintain proper body functioning permanently. For example, a number of sea creatures does not age at all. "Even 20 years ago, aging was a mystery to us. Today, we begin to understand how it comes, "- said the scientist. Metformin can increase number of oxygen molecules in the body's cells. This increases their durability and reliability.
According to one of the world's most famous experts in the field of aging, Dr Jay Olshansky, of the University of Illinois Chicago, discovering of metformin as a source of longevity may be "the most important in the modern era": "If we can slow down aging, it will be a breakthrough. People will grow old, but at the same time feel young. "
Today, the average life expectancy in the US is 82.8 years for women and 78.8 for men.
source: telegraph.co.uk