Medical Breakthrough: Mice's Sight, Restored by Anti-Aging Treatment

(Photo : Tobias Dahlberg)

Growing old is something kids are looking forward to because they can do things they were restricted by their parents when they were young. For them, adulting is a silver lining of life and simply gaining experience. On the other hand, adults love the innocence of children and their sincere laughter. Children do not know that when you age, health conditions arise, and the senses are degrading.

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For example, the vision of elders slowly blurs because of aging. Worst, vision loss can occur and affect the quality of life of an individual. When we think about looking young when you are old, you may be thinking of various skin care products and supplements that can help the cell perform its task efficiently to avoid forming wrinkles and fine lines evident in the faces when getting old. Now, another triumph is achieved by medical scientists when they discovered a treatment that was able to restore sight in the mice. According to 24 Matins, the treatment returns cells to a more youthful state, and because of this, the researchers of the study are hoping that it can also help treat glaucoma and other age-related diseases. They added that the treatment was based on the properties that cells possess when their body is developing an embryo. They further said that cells could repair and regenerate independently, but this ability weakens through aging.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, senior author, and professor at Harvard Medical School, David Sinclair, Ph.D., expressed his excitement regarding the rejuvenation of failing tissues and organs because of aging and disease, taking into account the zero efficacy of treatments like dementia. He added the interview that their research team is looking forward to treating glaucoma two years from now.

Study methods and results

In the mission of turning back time for these cells, 24 matins said that the researchers adapted a process known as induced pluripotent stem cells. They added that the team aims to return the cells into their youthful state, not into the blank state. Using three restoring proteins (OSK), the researchers furthered that they focused on the retinal ganglion cells in the eye, linked to the brain through the axons.

24 Matins also added that the proteins OSK was injected in the eye nerves with optic injuries, and they were thrilled with the results. According to researchers, as stated by 24 Matins, they discovered a double increase in the number of surviving retinal ganglion cells and a five times increase in nerve regrowth. The researcher emphasized in 24 Matins that with results showing the OSK is an effective anti-aging compound in cells in terms of returning them into their youthful state (which is evident when nerve regrowth was observed in the mice's eyes), the researchers noted that glaucoma could be treated.

Even though not involved in the study, a neuroscientist from Stanford University said in an interview with 24 Matins that the results will be needed to be confirmed in further animal tests, and human treatment is far to be administered. However, he added that this study is considered a novelty and a breakthrough in the medical field.

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