Signs of Aging Reversed in Mice with Cellular Therapy

Age is not only a number, but a variety of things that carry unwanted side effects such as weaker muscles, brittle bones, and risks for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Scientists have now shown they can effectively and safely reverse the process of aging in elderly and middle aged mice by partly resetting their cells to more youthful conditions.

From addressing diseases that are age related, the approach may also contribute to the biomedical community with a new way of restoring organismal and tissue health. This would happen through improving cell resilience and function in a variety of different disease circumstances such a diseases that are neurodegenerative.

When organisms age, it is not just their health and outward appearances that will change. Every cell body carries a molecular clock that will record the passage of time. Cells isolated from animals or humans have a variety of different chemicals or patterns along their DNA when compared to older animals or humans. Scientists know that by adding a mixture of four reprogramming molecules known as Yamanaka Factors to cells that they have the ability to reset these epigenetic marks back to their original patterns. The approach is how scientists can dial back adult cells into stem cells.

In 2016, the lab showed they used the Yamanaka factors to increase the life span and counter aging signs in mice that had aged prematurely. Recently, the researchers discovered that even in younger mice, the Yamanaka factors may speed up muscle regeneration. In following these first observations, other researchers used the identical pathway to improve functioning of other tissues like the brain, the heart and the optic nerve.

With the new study, the team tested a variety of the cellular rejuvenation approach in animals that were health as they aged. One group received the standard dose of the Yamanaka factors beginning at 15 months old until they were 22 months old which is about ages 50 to 70 in people. A second group were treated from the age of 12 to 22 months of age which is about 35 to 70 in people. The third group was treated at age 25 months for only one month which is about the same age of 80 in people.

The team wanted to establish that the use of this approach for a longer span of time is safe. They did not see any negative side effects on the body weight, health or behavior of the animals.

When compared to a control group of animals, it was shown there were no neurological or alterations in blood cells to the mice that were given the Yamanaka factors. Also, the team did not find any cancers in the animal groups.

When the team looked at normal signs of aging in the mice that had the treatment, they discovered that the animals in a variety of ways looked like younger mice. In both the skin and kidneys, the epigenetics of the treated mice more closely resembled epigenetic patterns that were seen in the younger mice. If they had an injury, the skin cells of the treated mice were able to proliferate and were less likely to cause a permanent scar. The older mice typically show more scarring and less proliferation of skin cells.

Youthfulness was noted in the animals that received the Yamanaka factors for 7 or 10 months, but not noted in the mice that were treated for only one month. This proposes that the treatment is not just pausing aging, but is also actively turning it back, although more study is needed to differentiate the two.

The team plans on looking at more research to determine how specific genes and molecules are influenced by the treatment for a long period of time of the Yamanaka factors and are also developing newer ways of delivering them. Their goal is to bring function and resilience back to cells that are older so that they are more resistant to injury, stress and disease.

To view the original scientific study click below:
In vivo partial reprogramming alters age-associated molecular changes during physiological aging in mice

Vision Restored with Human Adult Stem Cells

New research from Boston has shown success in the regrowth of human corneal tissue from adult stem cells to restore vision. Whether corneal tissue loss is due to damage from burns, chemical injury or eye diseases it is one of the leading reasons for blindness. This new groundbreaking process has the potential to restore vision in people that are blind.

Inside the eye’s limbus reside stem cells that regenerate and maintain corneal tissue. When they are lost due to injury or disease blindness occurs. Transplants have been used in the past to regenerate corneal growth but the outcomes have not been consistent.

This is one of the first examples of tissue being constructed from adult stem cells derived from humans. The fundamental key to the success of this study is based on a molecule which is known as ABCB5. This is a biomarker for limbal stem cells that has previously been elusive. These particular cells are in the eye’s limbus, which is the cornea’s border and the white part of the eyes. They are important for recreating and maintaining corneal tissue. They have regenerative ability that researchers have striven for a while to harvest to grow human tissue in people who are blind from corneal disease or injury.

From over 10 years ago, the teams at the lab of the lead researcher discovered the essential ABCB5 molecule. It was seen in the skin and the intestine precursor cells. They discovered that the ABCB5 was an integral part of the eye’s limbus due to it preventing the cells from dying. To show another role of ABCB5’s in the eye, the team used mice divided into two groups. One group had a ABCB5 gene that was non-functional and the other group possessed a ABCB5 gene that was totally functioning. The mice who lacked the ABCB5 gene lost all of their limbal stem cell population, thus they could not repair any injuries to the corneas.

The team obtained corneal tissue from human deceased donors. They used antibodies that will bind to ABCB5 to find the limbal stem cells. After they were located, they removed them from the donor’s tissue and they were transplanted into the mice in which the limbal stem cells had been extracted. Their prediction was realized as fully corneal tissue derived from the deceased human donors was created in the mice which restored their vision. But the process only worked only when the crucial ABCB5 molecule was present in the limbal stem cells.

They will continue their study of ABCB5 to see if it could be used in a similar function for isolating skin stem cells for the use of transplantation. They do note that it has changed the game for adult stem cell research due to its identity as a molecular marker.

To view the original scientific study click below:
ABCB5 is a limbal stem cell gene required for corneal development and repair

The Best Fruit to Prevent Aging

As you think about what to drink and eat to help with aging, have you ever wondered what is the best fruit for anti-aging?

It may be surprising that it is the avocado! But how can it help make your brain sharper?

A randomized trial by researchers at Tufts University analyzed the results from participants separated into two groups. The first group ate an avocado every day for six months while the others ate either one cup of chickpeas or one potato every day.

At the end of the trial, the participants who consumed the avocados had an increased level of lutein which is related to memory and cognitive function.

The research is promising for healthy aging. As people age, they are paying more attention to their health and a simple dietary addition such as the avocado can be a part of good nutrition for all ages.

Avocados are beneficial due to their amount of magnesium. Magnesium is critical to life as it is contained in every cell in the body and is also important for carrying out a variety of bodily functions. One avocado contains almost 60 milligrams of magnesium which amounts to 15% of the daily recommended amount.

Magnesium not only works in the brain for cognitive support and mood, but also outside the brain in the blood vessels. It acts as a vasodilator which dilates the vessels which increases blood flow to the brain.

Avocados are also high in both monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids About 60% of the brain is composed of fat and one half of that is omega-3 type fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent the onset of cognitive diseases such as slow mental decline and Alzheimer’s. The brain needs Omega-3 fatty acids to make nerve cells which are critical to one’s ability to learn and to memory.

So keep your brain sharp by adding avocados to your diet.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Avocado Consumption Increases Macular Pigment Density in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Higher Body Fat Associated with Reduced Thinking and Memory Ability

A recent study has shown that people with a high degree of body fat are at risk for a reduction in their cognitive function. Even when vascular brain injuries or cardiovascular risks were taken into consideration, the link associated with body fat and cognitive scores being lower remained the same. This has suggested that not yet confirmed pathways link cognitive function reduction and excess body fat.

There were 9,166 people that participated in the study. The participants were between the ages of 30 and 75 with the average age being 58. A little over 56% were women and they all lived in Poland or Canada. They were mostly of white European descent and around 17% were other ethnicities. Anyone with known cardiovascular disease were excluded.

To access their total body fat they were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. 6,733 participants had an MRI to measure visceral fat which was packed around organs. It also assessed vascular body injury in the brain affected by a reduction in blood flow.

The results have suggested that strategies to reduce or prevent a person with too much fat in their body may preserve their cognitive function.

The effects of an increase in body fat continued even after the team adjusted for increasing cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes and vascular brain injury. This should encite scientists to investigate other pathways that could link excess fat to a reduction in cognitive function.

The team says that preserving cognitive function is one of the greatest ways to help the prevention of dementia in older age. The study suggests that one way to do this would be physical activity and good nutrition to help maintain a healthy body fat and weight percentage.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Evaluation of Adiposity and Cognitive Function in Adults

Stem Cells That Can Facilitate Advances in Regeneration of Organs

In a global-first, researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences and BGI-Research and other partners, have announced the discovery of a rapid, transgene-free, and controllable way to change pluripotent stem cells into authentic 8 cell totipotent embryo-like cells. This paves the way for future advances in synthetic biology and regeneration of organs.

The teams used the technologies of advanced single-cell sequencing from BGI to assist in changing pluripotent stem cells or an adult type of early embryonic cells into a juvenile type. This ensures that it will activate human zygotic genome and keep all the lineage along with the potential of development.

The cells could possibly be useful in prospective regenerative medicine for human organs that are diseased and would also reduce the reliance on donation of organs. They could be used to build artificial blastoids and blastocysts. They also would be useful in the study of human embryonic development, prevent pregnancy loss and help treat related diseases that develop early.

This technology that changes pluripotent stem cells into inner cell mass-like cells inside the blastocyst has been around for a while. In this new study scientists have been able to establish methods that change pluripotent stem cells to an early phase in the human development cycle that equals the 8 cell embryo. This will provide insight into the development of the human embryonic system. Essentially the team showed that the cells that were converted could create placental cells in vivo which is the only time this has been achieved.

Totipotent 8 cell stage embryo like cells recreate an embryonic state of an egg that has been fertilized following only three divisions. In comparison to the reported pluripotent stem cells, these distinct cells will not only change into placental tissue, but can possibly develop into a more mature organ which is good news for the number of patients needing transplants all over the globe.

The breakthrough is in addition a great portrayal of the combination of the technology of single cell sequencing and regenerative medicine. Through single cell large scale multi-omics profiling the precise and efficient identification of tissues or cells obtained in vivo or in vitro by stem cell technology will considerably speed up research on regenerative medicine.

At the early phase of development these cells can be reported as totipotent which means they have the possibility of creating all types of early embryonic cells. This in turn will create the organs and tissues which are required for development and adds to early work with plenipotentiary stem cells at the blastocyst stage. This is a point where cells have the possibility to create a more restricted range of different tissues and cells.

The team who conducted the research treated pluripotent stem cells with a cocktail of chemicals to create the 8-cell embryo like cells. Other experiments that were done was sorting and injecting these cells into a mouse for further development and then examined using BGI’s single cell genomic analysis. The innovative technology was able to help researchers find and isolate the target 8-cell embryo like cells and show their totipotent capacity to establish the cells which can generate the placenta in vivo.

These advances could eventually bring about individualized regeneration of organs a reality. Currently the only way that is available for people in need of an organ transplant is through a donor that matches and this course of action is not without problems. Transplant failure can occur if the donor’s serotype is not close enough to the recipients. Another procedure which is designed to modify organs of animals for transplantation to people through gene editing is also in its early stages.

The achievement also shows a new in vitro system of key research on early embryonic development that helps the team discern the relationship between it and the occurrence of diseases. It is also a resource for the treatment and study of various development diseases such as birth defects.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Rolling back of human pluripotent stem cells to an 8-cell embryo-like stage

Boost Your Happiness with Vegetables

A new study has set out to find a link between the number of vegetables we eat and whether they have any kind of impact on psychological and happiness well-being.

The study involved 75 participants between 18 and 65 years of age. The participants were split into control and test groups and were given a selection of both frozen and fresh vegetables.

For a period of 8 weeks, the test group were asked to eat the amount of vegetables recommended in the Dietary Guidelines which is approximately two to four servings of vegetables per day. This is more than they were used to eating. The control group were asked to eat their typical diet.

The team used the SHS (Subjective Happiness Scale) to assess happiness before and after the 8 week period. The SHS has four questions in which the participants answered in regards to their happiness level.

The SHS scores increased when the amount of vegetables recommended were consumed. They found thay the increase in consumption of vegetables and mostly the ones that meet the Dietary Guidelines were the reason of the improvement in scores on the SHS.

The participants had access to a wide variety of the vegetables to choose from. Because of this, the team could not point out which one particular vegetable is the best for happiness. The team advises that people consume a wide variety of vegetables and from all rainbow colors every week.

Another study showed that children who ate a diet that is rich in fresh vegetables and fruits show better mental health.

The nutrients that make us happier tend to be magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron and Vitamin E which are in abundance in vegetables. These have been shown to help with mental health.

By increasing a diet of plant based foods and reducing the consumption of processed foods, you will not only improve mental health but the diet will give your physical health a wonderful boost.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Consumption of Dietary Guidelines for Americans Types and Amounts of Vegetables Increases Mean Subjective Happiness Scale Scores: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Pancreatic Beta Cells Made From Stem Cells

Researchers have made pioneering efforts to fully use the function of pancreatic cells that have been produced from stem cells. The new study has shown that stem cells can form other cells that very closely copy normal pancreatic islets in both function and structure.

Pancreatic beta cells make the vital hormone insulin. One result of these cells being destroyed is type 1 diabetes. This means patients need to replace the lost insulin with many injections on a daily basis.

Secretion of insulin can be restored in people by transplanting beta cells that have been isolated from the pancreas of an organ donor that is brain dead. However, the treatment has not been broadly introduced as it takes at last two donors to cure one diabetic.

Producing functional beta cells derived from stem cells has been attempted many times in the hope of making this treatment more common. But the beta cells that have been produced have been immature so far and the secretion of insulin is not regulated well. This could be part of the reason no breakthroughs have been made on immature cells from any of the clinical trials in the U.S.

One research group have been carrying out developing efforts to optimize pancreatic cell functionality from stem cells.

In the study, secretion of insulin was regulated normally in cells and glucose levels responded. The changes were even better than the pancreatic islets that were used as controls from organ donors.

The team demonstrated the function of stem cell derived beta cells in both mice and culture studies. In the mice studies the team showed that stem cell derived beta cells that were transplanted started to effectively manage the glucose metabolism of the mice.

Blood glucose levels are higher in mice than in people, about 8-10 millimolar. After the cells were transplanted the level decreased to 4-5 millimolar which is seen in humans. It remained at this level which proved that the stem cell derived transplanted cells were able to regulate blood glucose levels in the mice.

The survey of the beta cell function is the most comprehensive in the field. In addition to secretion of insulin, the team investigated the function of systems that regulate the secretion including ion channels and metabolism, also connecting their findings to gene expression which occurred during development.

The study helps further improve the production of stem cell islets. This will make it easier to use them in cell therapies and disease modeling.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Functional, metabolic and transcriptional maturation of human pancreatic islets derived from stem cells

The Myth That Drinking Alcohol Decreases Cardiovascular Disease

The UK’s recommended consumption of alcohol is 14 units or less per week. This is the weekly equivalent of 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine. New research shows that even this amount may increase cardiovascular issues such as heart and cerebrovascular disease.

Researchers examined hospitalizations of 333,259 people relating to cardiovascular occurrences. These people were between the ages of 40 and 69 and all drank alcohol according to data from the study at the UK Biobank. The participants provided information as to their total weekly consumption of alcohol and the specific kinds of alcohol which included wine, spirits and beer.

Their alcohol intake was accessed for 7 years and included any occurrences where they were hospitalized due to cardiovascular events. Anyone that had a past cardiovascular event was deleted from the team’s analysis. Also excluded were people who were former drinkers or who did not complete the information on their alcohol consumption.

The research team discovered that drinking 14 units or less of alcohol per week was the limit. Every time the participants added 1.5 pints of beer at 4% strength then their risk of a cardiovascular event increased by 23%.

According to the lead author, the “J shaped curve” of cardiovascular disease related to alcohol consumption suggesting health benefits from moderate and low consumption of alcohol is the largest myth since it was told that smoking was good for us. The team argues that there are biases in the epidemiological evidence of this. Biases which are embedded in this evidence will mask or will underestimate the dangers linked with the consumption of alcohol. When these biases are taken into consideration, the adverse effects of low level consumption are shown.

These biases use as a reference group non-drinkers, when many will not drink due to poor health. Other biases include the combining all beverage types when determining the intake of alcohol for a population study. Also people who drink wine have a lower risk of coronary artery disease which potentially distorts the overall cardiovascular risk.

The study showed that those who drank spirits, cider and beer in particular, even those who consumed under 14 units per week showed an increase risk of hospitalization for a cardiovascular event involving the blood vessels or the heart.

We hear about wine drinkers having a lower risk of coronary artery disease than non-drinkers, however the data shows their risk of other cardiovascular events does not decrease.

In future research, avoiding these biases would alleviate the current confusion and possibly lead to guideline strengthening with the current guidance on alcohol reduced.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Alcohol – The myth of cardiovascular protection

Stem Cell Strategy for Heart Repair

Researchers are now using stem cell based therapies to repair the heart after an injury such as cardiac ischemia or heart attack. Such injuries limit the ability of the heart to pump producing lower oxygen blood levels. That makes it harder for a person to perform daily activities.

The new therapy benefits heart repair by replacing heart tissue that has died with new and functional tissue using stem cells. In previous therapies less than 1% of the stem cells lived beyond transplantation. This is due to their inability to survive in the ischemic environment with its metabolic demands.

From mouse models the research has shown that this problem can be remedied by the reintroduction of a protein called LIN28. This protein is found to be extremely active in a developing heart and can function under low oxygen conditions. Postnatally this appears to slow down and the low oxygen resilience is lost.

The team discovered that by introducing LIN28 to an adult heart the cardiac stem cells express the metabolic qualities of young developing cells. This will greatly improve cardiac stem cells’ chance of survival by providing more metabolic flexibility. It’s almost like reverse aging was in process.

The adult heart is very sensitive to a decrease in the availability of oxygen due to changes in cellular metabolism. This suggests that these characteristics in the heart help determine the affect post transplantation will have on stem cells.

The team wanted to determine if metabolic sensors that are delivered to the developing heart could impart more metabolic flexibility to CTSC’s (cardiac tissue derived stem like cells). These are present in neonatal and adult heart tissue but only deliver LIN28 to a developing heart. In the adult tissue of the heart, CTSC’s possess the potential to regenerate and are generally silent.

The team reintroduced LIN28 in adult mice CTSC’s in vitro, and then analyzed the outcomes on pathway signaling. This is part of cellular growth, metabolism, and regeneration. They discovered that LIN28 expression did produce a great regenerative response. This changed the CTSC’s to promote survival and growth in response to oxidative stress. It resulted in notable improvements in cardiac function and structure.

LIN28 modified energy production in CTSC’s which led to the secretion of many factors that are advantageous for the survival of heart cells. The cells took on a more youthful composition.

The team plans to translate their findings into larger animals and to find out if cardiac stem cells obtained from humans can be reprogrammed by LIN28. The studies have significant value in determining how stem cell therapy for heart disease is approached.

To view the original scientific study click below:
LIN28a induced metabolic and redox regulation promotes cardiac cell survival in the heart after ischemic injury

Sit and Stand From Floor to Maintain Strength and Vitality

How hard is it for you to get up from sitting on the floor? A study done in 2014 found that the ease of standing from sitting on the floor can be a significant predictor of longevity in older adults. More recent research in May 2020 backs up the findings.

The study participant’s ranged in age from 51 to 80. In the follow-up period after the study, those who found standing from a sitting position on the floor easiest had a substantially longer life expectancy. A person’s ease of standing from a sitting position is a reflection of overall health and fitness.

As we age our joints and muscles tend to get stiff. Spending some time sitting on the floor and then standing up everyday can lead to better balance, coordination and stability. It will move the joints and muscles and strengthen a person’s core and legs. When standing, the core of a person’s body is engaged to pull itself up. Doing this multiple times will increase balance and stability and decrease risk of falls.

The procedure of standing is similar to an exercise squat. Therefore, doing this on a daily basis is essentially getting the same low body exercise benefit as a squat. The joints and body parts such as hips, knees, feet, shoulders, wrists and elbows and all used, thus increasing mobility.

Sitting on the floor also encourages a person to stay more upright instead of slouching or hunching over. It is important to sit correctly so as to not put extra strain on vertebrae or spinal discs. Always sit with your torso straight and tall and gently pull your shoulder blades together and down. You can also use a towel or small pillow to ease any discomfort on the tailbone. This will also put your pelvis and spine in better alignment.

You can sit down cross-legged, legs straight out in front of you or with your feet flat and knees bent. These are all good ways to sit on the floor. Before you sit on the floor visualize doing it. Then when you are ready to stand visualize it again. This will help with the process and is a good practice to get into when starting to sit and stand everyday.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Ability to sit and rise from the floor as a predictor of all-cause mortality

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