Japanese scientists have found a way that may help slow down the aging of the heart, and even restore some of its functions that are affected by aging.
Professor Shigeru Yanagi, from the Faculty of Science at Gakushuin University in Japan, explained that he and a group of his colleagues at the university studied the substance “Mitropin,” which is derived from the natural compound berberine, to find out its effects on health. They tested its effects on laboratory mouse cells and found that it significantly improves the function of mitochondria, which are the “power stations” inside cells, responsible for producing energy in the body.
The scientist said: "Our findings show that metropin contributes to slowing down age-related cell aging, including heart cells, leading to improved cardiac function."
He added: "The number of mitochondria decreases and their functions weaken with age, but our research has shown that mitropin enhances MITOL molecules, which are (the mitochondrial quality control system) whose levels decline with age. Accordingly, mitropin also enhances the ability of mitochondria to produce energy."
The scientist stressed the need for more experiments to confirm whether the same effect occurs in humans, noting that the decline in mitochondrial function is the basis of many age-related diseases, and that the success of this research could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for aging.
