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.
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