A group of American and Australian scientists have managed to reverse the aging process in mice. Experts were able to increase the content in cells of a substance called nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD), thereby achieving rejuvenation of muscle tissue.
Can you explain how NAD works? Is something similar observed in humans?
Christoph de Jaeger: NAD is an enzyme, when its content in mitochondria (a kind of cellular powerhouse that produces adenosine triphosphate) decreases, the cell begins to experience oxygen starvation. The energy mechanism changes and the mitochondria is aging. By adding NAD, you restore her ability to generate the necessary energy. This is the same as cleaning the carburetor. If you give mice NAD, it will significantly increase the efficiency of muscle mitochondria and raise physical performance to the level of younger mice.
This mechanism is very similar to the one that operates in the human body, although there are certain differences. Taking NAD in humans improves muscle function and recovery.
However, not all physiological systems (for example, arteries or the brain) experience the same energy needs as muscles, because they do not contain as many mitochondria: they regenerate differently.
We can use other substances like coenzyme Q10, which acts on the mitochondria and increases the cells' ability to repair. But it affects the brain, arteries, pancreas, liver, etc. in different ways, because the cells that make up these organs have different properties.
Can this be considered as a step on the path to immortality?
- There is no talk of any miraculous fountain of youth. If you delve into the scientific literature, you can find works of 15 years ago, which already spoke about NAD.
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Aging is a very complex process that takes place in different ways, not only for different people, but even for one person, depending on his age. We will not be able to influence such a complex phenomenon with just one substance. Today we have drugs at our disposal that can be used to develop a personalized approach to correcting the difficulties that people face. Nevertheless, each time we are talking about a whole complex of substances that are selected depending on the specific needs of each.
Scientists say they are considering the prospects of using this method for rejuvenating people. Is it worth hoping that in a few years they will actually make us younger?
- In 25-30 years, we may learn to directly influence the genome to break the switch that triggers the aging process at 18-20 years. At this moment, our body will acquire the ability to heal itself.
Although a priori we cannot fight with time, is it worth at least expecting that this research will improve our quality of life?
“This study is not going to help us cope with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease because other mechanisms are at work. The research deals with energetic processes that are not related to degenerative diseases.
Christophe de Jaeger is a geriatrician, professor of physiology, director of the Jaeger Institute.