Scientists report significant breakthrough in anti-aging

British scientists have made a remarkable breakthrough in anti-aging while studying human skin cells. According to scientist behind the research, it could pave the way for powerful anti-aging cosmetics and cancer fighting drugs.

A team of scientists from the Newcastle University said they have made a breakthrough and identified – for the first time – that the actions of a crucial metabolic enzyme present in the batteries of skin cells in humans deteriorates with age. Researchers discovered that the mitochondrial complex II activity remarkably reduces in older skin.

Researchers believe the findings may also help understand how other organs in our body age, which could lead the way for medicinal developments in a range of age-related diseases, such as cancer.

The innovative study was led by Professor Mark Birch-Machin of Newcastle University with Dr. Amy Bowman, Research Associate at Newcastle University's Institute of Cellular Medicine.

Professor Birch-Machin said as we age we observe that our cell batteries get worn out. It is known as reduced bio-energy, and increase of harmful free radicals. [Read more Exposure to environmental toxin may increase risk of Alzheimer's]

There are two crucial ways of producing energy inside our cells and this enzyme acts as the pivot between the two. Therefore, reduction in its activity triggers reduced bio-energy in aging skin.

The study that made breakthrough in anti-aging

The study looked at 27 donors, from age six to 72 years. It was funded by the North Eastern Skin Research Fund and printed in Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Researchers studied the activity of Complex II in the donors by taking samples from the area of a skin that is sun-protected to ascertain if there was a contrast in action with increasing age.

They used techniques to gauge the activities of the vital enzymes within mitochondria that helps produce energy for the skin cell. This was applied to cells acquired from the epidermis (upper) and dermis (lower) levels of skin. [Read more Diabetes treatment may become ‘ouchless’ with the new insulin pill]

They found that activity of complex II remarkably deteriorated with age, per mitochondria unit, in the cells acquired from the lower levels and not the upper levels. The result was not found previously on human skin study. [এসপারাগাসঃ স্বাস্থ্যগুণ, ভেষজগুণ এবং ইতিহাস]

Researchers suggest more studies to fully comprehend the functional effects in skin and various other tissues, and to establish ways to evaluate anti-aging approaches in human skin.

Dr Bowman, who is a Research Associate at the Institute of Cellular Medicine of Newcastle University, said that her University is pioneering studies into aging. Although scientists knew for a long time that mitochondria play a crucial role in aging process, to this day its exact role isn’t clear.

This research has taken them a step ahead in understanding how mitochondria may contribute to aging in humans. The scientists hope they will eventually target specific areas of the mitochondria to prevent the signs of aging, she added.

A study recently carried out in mice model revealed that compared to the skin of younger mice, complex II activity is lower in the skin of older mice whose skin is naturally aged.