People say the body can heal itself. But can you really slow down ageing without using creams or supplements? If you’ve ever wished there were a reset button for your body, scientists might be getting close. Researchers in China have discovered that your cells already have their own built-in cleaning system, and learning how to restart it could be the key to slowing down, or even reversing, signs of ageing.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder that causes children to age at a frightening pace. Wrinkled skin, hair loss, stiff arteries, the symptoms many associate with old age, ate seen in these young patients.
Scientists have long known that this rapid ageing is caused by a faulty protein called progerin. It’s like a tiny saboteur inside the cell, damaging DNA, deforming the cell’s protective shell, and blocking normal repair work. What’s more, small amounts of progerin also appear in healthy people as they grow older, meaning this same process might be ticking away in all of us.
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Professor Chuanmao Zhang and his team at Peking University, together with colleagues from Kunming University of Science and Technology, decided to go into detail. They discovered that lysosomes, tiny sacs inside our cells that act as waste disposers, are crucial for breaking down progerin.
But in cells from HGPS patients, these lysosomes weren’t working properly. Instead of destroying the harmful protein, they let it pile up, causing further damage. When the team managed to restart this system, the cells began to behave more like youthful ones again.
Here’s what what the scientists found
- Progerin builds up because faulty lysosomes fail to recycle it.
- The recycling system can be reactivated by stimulating certain cellular pathways, such as PKC or blocking mTORC1.
- Reawakened lysosomes successfully clear away progerin, easing DNA damage and restoring normal cell growth.
- Lysosome therapy could one day be used not only for progeria but also for conditions linked to natural ageing, like chronic kidney disease.
This discovery gives scientists a fresh target in the long search for healthy aging. Instead of focusing only on external remedies, like creams or supplements, this research suggests that the secret lies deep within our own cells. By encouraging our lysosomes to do their job better, we might someday help our bodies clean up the mess that time leaves behind.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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