According to a new study, stem cells taken from young hearts can be used to reverse the aging process, causing old hearts to act and perform like younger ones.
The study, carried out by the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and published by the European Heart journal, aimed to observe the effect of cardiac stem cells on different aspects of the heart, ranging from its function to structure. Prior applications of Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDC) resulted in positive effects, but this was the first time they were tested on the aging process.
The researchers involved in this study took CDC cells from newborn mice and injected it into the hearts of older mice, while a control group of older mice were injected with a saline solution. Blood, echocardiographic, haemodynamic, and treadmill stress tests were carried out on all mice after injections, with the older group being tested 1 month later.
The older mice that received the Cardiosphere-derived cells saw a number of health benefits compared to their saline counterparts. For example, they had improved heart functionality, were able to exercise for 20% longer, regrew their hair at a faster rate, and had longer heart cell telomeres. This is important because telomeres are compounds found at the ends of chromosomes whose shortening is directly related to the aging process.
Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD, the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute Director and Lead Researcher, says that “the way the cells work to reverse aging is fascinating. They secrete tiny vesicles that are chock-full of signaling molecules such as RNA and proteins. The vesicles from young cells appear to contain all the needed instructions to turn back the clock.”
Despite these positive results on mice, there is still a lot of work that has to be done before this anti-aging treatment can be tried of people. Lilian Griorian-Shamagian, MD, PhD, the co-primary researcher on the study, notes that it’s still not clear whether the cells actually extend the lifespan of the rodents, rather than simply providing a new heart in an old body. Furthermore, it’s also unknown if CDCs need to be taken from younger hearts to be effective. If any CDCs can be used, regardless of their origins, it could lead to a new round of tests comparing the effects of CDCs from the young to CDCs from the middle-aged or old.
If these stem cells were able to be used for medical purposes, they could help those suffering from heart failure, or the Duchenne muscular dystrophy Marbán and his team are trying to treat. Furthermore, it could decrease the number of deaths by heart disease, which is currently responsible for over 600,000 deaths a year.
Source: futurism
Images: depositphotos
Ever Wondered How Hormones Work? Well, Wonder No More...
Ever wondered how hormones work? Well, wonder no more as this informative TED-Ed video explains all!
The Herpes Virus Might be a Cause of Alzheimer's!
A study has reignited a controversial theory about what causes Alzheimer's by studying the brains of people from three different brain banks. Learn more here.
Winter Hikers, Gather Round for the Best Tip of the Season
Here's how advanced snow hikers layer clothing in the winter.
Sticking to One Doctor Could Help Prolong Your Life!
Keeping the same doctor rather than switching between different ones has a noticeable effect on mortality rates. Find out more here.
Ever Wondered How Hormones Work? Well, Wonder No More!
Ever wondered how hormones work? Well, wonder no more as this informative TED-Ed video explains all!
Here Are Some Medical Advances That We Can Expect in 2018!
Things move fast in the medicine world, but if predictions about what to expert in this coming year prove to be true, things might move a lot faster than usual!
The Story of the Internet: Who REALLY Invented It?
Who really invented the internet, and why did they REALLY do it?
8 Lies We've Been Told About Electricity
These incorrect facts about electricity have been perpetuated long enough. It's time to disprove them.
This Giant Tank Will Unlock the Universe’s Big Mysteries
Japan is building a huge underground tank inside a mountain to help unlock the many mysteries of the universe.
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Subconscious Mind
10 facts about the way the subconscious mind works
First US Embryo to be 'Edited'; Rise of Genetic Changes!
Could the first human embryos be genetically modified?
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
Science Lesson: How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
How laser removal of tattoos actually works. These guys are going to find out and explain it to us.
WATCH: This is What Occurs In Our Brain When We're In Love
We all love being in love, and actually crave it and need it, but what actually happens to our brains when we're in love? Watch this TED Talk to find out.
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
17 Incredible Eye Facts You Have To See To Believe
They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and they also happen to be our windows to the world. Here are 17 insanely fascinating facts about eyes.
Check Out This Radio-Controlled Lego-Powered Submarine
This is the height of creativity! Check out this insanely cool Lego submarine. It actually works!
Experience the True Scale of Heavenly Bodies
Witness the true scale of planets, stars and galaxies in this incredible video that sheds light on size in our universe.
Thought Nature is Wild? See It Under a Microscope
You won't believe the things you could discover by looking at everyday items under a microscope.
11 Technologies to Potentially Achieving Immortality
Scientists are hard at work developing technologies that could extend our lifespans and even make us immortal. Here are 11 of them.
Incredible: First-Ever Complete Map of an Insect's Brain
This incredible project is the first to completely map the brain of an insect, a monumental undertaking even for such a small creature.
These Will Give You True Perspective About Our World
Just to give you an idea of how big the Earth really is in true perspective to all the other heavenly bodies up there in the cosmos.
6 Fascinating Stories of Accidental Medical Discoveries
From penicillin to pacemakers, here are the medical breakthroughs that were discovered by accident.
These Experiments Remind Us Water Isn't Just For Drinking
This video will make you stop and think for a second the next time you're having a glass of water as you remember the brightly colored experiments that this video shows us you can do with water
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
7 Weird Facts About the Human Voice That Will Surprise You
We bet you didn’t know these peculiar facts about the human voice.
Six Inventions Da-Vinci Made Ahead of Their Time
He created and envisioned many inventions that were sometimes even centuries ahead of their time. Was there ever a genius as great as Da-Vinci?
Scary Stories: 11 of the World's Creepiest Experiments
Truth is stranger than fiction, and this can be said for occurrences in the scientific world too. Here are 11 of the world's creepiest experiments
New Study: A Pill that Works Out Your Muscles?!?
New study shows that, though we are not there yet, a pill can and probably WILL come out that works out the muscles and grows them.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
8 Biggest Mysteries Still Surrounding the Human Body
Although modern science has revealed much about the human body, there are some things that still remain unknown. Here are the 8 biggest mysteries about it.
Discover How Anesthesia Affects Your Body and Mind
If you were ever curious about how exactly anesthesia works, then this video has all the answers!
How It's Made: Merino Wool
Long before we invented moisture-wicking synthetic fibers, this type of wool did it naturally for centuries. Here's how it's produced.
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
These Are the Miracles That Happen in Our Bodies Every Day
There is a lot that happens inside our bodies every single day. Did you know any of these facts?
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
Let's Talk About Size, From Big to Huge.
an incredible discovery that leads us to a better and better understanding of these objects' true size.
What is Your Consciousness? A Remarkable Video...
This video by Ted-ed searches to explain the origin of consciousness as well as what is consciousness.
Amazing Science: THIS is the True Scale of Our Universe...
Get a sense of the true scale and shape of the universe we've discovered so far.
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
20 Useful Facts About the Science of Cooking
The science behind cooking is not often thought of, but it plays a crucial role in a dish turning out right. Here are 20 facts on the science of cooking.
The Accidental Discovery of the World’s First Antibiotic
Not too long ago, it was fairly common to die of the simplest of wounds due to bacterial infection. Penicillin changed everything.
24 Smart Storage Inventions You Didn't Know You Needed
These super useful inventions are designed to make you help space!
Are Underwater Turbines the Answer to Our Energy Question?
One of the most promising technologies in the renewable energy market is the ocean. Learn all about it.
3 Surefire Ways to Always Identify Pseudoscience
Find out how you can identify pseudoscience, and learn how it differs from actual science.