Getting old may have to wait a while longer, after a study by the Salk Institute has discovered a way to reduce ageing-associated toxins at a cellular level. Salk scientists, led by Professor Gerald Shadel, found that exposing cells and mice to short-term stress led cells to produce greater levels of antioxidants, thereby reducing toxic cellular buildup related to normal metabolism. In addition, cell mitochondria were remodelled to generate fewer toxic by-products.
This indicates that short-term stressors can create healthier and more stress-resistant cells, and possibly delay the effects of aging. According to Shadel, the next step will be to see if the pathways the researchers have identified can be targeted to prevent common age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
Source: Cell Metabolism Journal
