Forget the Holy Grail, it seems humans can actually live forever by just relying on a simple enzyme.
New clinical trials have suggested a male hormone, Danazol, could be the “elixir of youth” as it is capable of reversing ageing in cells.
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The New England Journal of Medicine published the research, which found that the production of the Telomerase enzyme, which stops cells from ageing, could be induced in a laboratory by giving patients prescription steroids.
Rodrigo Calado, Professor at the Medical School, explains how ageing is measured by the team: “One of the processes associated with aging is the progressive shortening of telomeres - the DNA protecting structures at the end of chromosomes.
“Each time a cell divides, the telomeres (ends) of chromosomes get shorter and eventually, the cell can’t replicate anymore and dies.”
The Telomerase enzyme is able to repair these telomeres so that they do not become progressively shorter as they split and duplicate. Meaning that cells do not degenerate and “age” in the same way.
Telomarase is naturally found in the human body, but now the Brazilian scientists have shown that taking steroids can restart production on command.
If patients take a synthetic male hormone, Danazol, telomere length was shown to increase by 386 base pairs on average over two years.
“On completion of the protocol, the medication was interrupted, and we observed a fall in all counts. Several patients resumed the medication with smaller doses, individually adjusted to minimize side effects,” Calado said.
Calado hopes these findings will help those with aplastic anemia, a disease caused by a deficiency of this enzyme.
10 Tips For Healthy Ageing
Exercise(01 of10)
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As well as the physical benefits, regular exercise has positive effects on your brain. (credit:ferrantraite via Getty Images)
Stop Smoking(02 of10)
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It’s bad for your body and your brain. (credit:Yagi Studio via Getty Images)
Attend Regular Health Checks(03 of10)
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Make use of health checks on offer: contact your GP surgery for information. (credit:Hero Images via Getty Images)
Be Sociable(04 of10)
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Avoid the harmful effects of loneliness by keeping up your social contacts. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
Eat & Drink Well(05 of10)
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Adopt a Mediterranean diet or similar which is rich in nuts, whole grains and fruit, vegetables and oily fish, alcohol in moderation. (credit:Chris Gramly via Getty Images)
Manage Stress(06 of10)
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Keep your stress levels and your blood pressure down. (credit:Muriel de Seze via Getty Images)
Rest(07 of10)
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Get enough sleep. Most experts suggest about eight hours a night. (credit:BreBa via Getty Images)
Challenge Yourself(08 of10)
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Keep your brain active and challenge yourself: through work or volunteering. People in jobs that demand complex dealings with people or data are more likely to stay mentally sharp in later life (credit:LarsHallstrom via Getty Images)
Learn A Language(09 of10)
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People who speak more than one language are more likely to stay sharp in old age. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Love Later Life(10 of10)
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A positive attitude towards growing older can increase your life expectancy by up to seven and a half years. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)