Molecules Discovered That Extend LifeThis article from August 2003 describes a way to duplicate the benefits of restricted calorie diet in yeast with a group of chemical compounds. Mice, rats, worms, flies, and yeast all live longer on a low-calorie diet. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and BIOMOL Research Laboratories have for the first time found evidence that certain polyphenols, such as resveratrol (found in red wine) and flavones (found in olive oil) can extend the lifespan of yeast. The same chemicals are active in human cells too, though of course there is no proof yet that they will have significant life extension benefits for humans. The surprising thing is that the life extending benefits of these chemicals are not due to the well known anti-oxident properties they possess, but rather is due to the fact that they activate sirtuins, a family of enzymes that in turn are responsible for extending the lifespan of the yeast. "We think sirtuins buy cells time to repair damage," said molecular biologist David Sinclair, assistant professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and co-author of the new study. "There is a growing realization from the aging field that blocking cell death -- as long as it doesn't lead to cancer -- extends life span." The researchers described resveratrol as the most potent of the chemicals studied. It extended yeast lifespans by up to 80%. |
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