Written by A. Hammouda: The process of reversing aging may be possible. This is inferred from the results published lately in Cell Metabolism. Although the authors did not give a straight yes as an answer to the question in hand, their results encourage other research in this direction.

 

What did the researchers do to explore the possibility of reversing aging?

The researchers measured the biological age of test animals and human subjects at epigenetic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels, but they focused on epigenetic changes, DNA methylation clocks. They measured the biological age of young mice whose circulation was connected to that of old mice (heterochronic parabiosis). They also measured the biological age of humans subjected to stress in the form of surgery, pregnancy, and COVID-19 infection.

 

What did the researchers find out about biological age and reversing aging?

The researchers reported that biological age is fluid and exhibits rapid changes in both directions. They found out that the biological age of young mice is increased by heterochronic parabiosis and restored following surgical detachment. They also identified transient changes in biological age during major surgery, pregnancy, and severe COVID-19 in humans and/or mice. Together, these data show that biological age undergoes a rapid increase in response to diverse forms of stress, which is reversed following recovery from stress.

 

Implications of the Study

This study proves that biological age is fluid and exhibits rapid changes in both directions. It uncovers a new layer of aging dynamics that should be considered in future studies. The elevation of biological age by stress may be a quantifiable and actionable target for future interventions.

 

 

Source:

Biological age is increased by stress and restored upon recovery.

 

 

See also:

What is biological age and how is it measured?

Aging Reversal by Epigenetic Reprograming

 

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