Aging is transmitted through the blood

Aging is not just about wrinkles and fatigue. These are also signals that one part of the body can transmit to another. South Korean researchers have shown for the first time that senescent cells trigger a whole wave of changes in other tissues — and all this happens through the blood.

The focus was on a protein with the difficult name HMGB1. It is he who, as it turned out, acts as a messenger — when cells age, they release this protein outside, and it travels through the body, infecting young cells with the feeling that it is time to age.

What is especially interesting: scientists have determined that not any HMGB1 acts so destructively, but only its specific form, the restored (ReHMGB1). In experiments on human cells and mice, researchers have noticed that it is ReHMGB1 that causes signs of premature aging: decreased cell division, inflammatory signals, and even muscle deterioration.

But the good news is just beginning. In another part of the experiment, the experts tried to block this protein using special antibodies. The result was encouraging: the markers of aging decreased, and the animals’ muscles began to recover faster and work better.

In fact, we are talking about the fact that aging can be intercepted — if you stop the signals that travel through the blood in time. It’s as if a fire can be extinguished before it gets to the neighboring house.

It is predicted that it will be possible to combat the effects of aging by intervening and preventing further tissue damage.