A study published in the journal "Nature" revealed a method that helps predict lifespan by identifying certain factors that affect aging and increase the risk of premature death.
The journal noted that researchers analyzed more than 11,000 tissue samples from mice, rats, monkeys, and humans, enabling them to identify common molecular signatures associated with the aging process, which can be used to predict the rate of biological aging and the risk of premature death.
The team identified a number of genes whose activity changes with age, with particular emphasis on the CDKN1A and LGALS3 genes, as the proteins produced by them were found to be associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases and a higher probability of premature death.
Scientists have proven that aging manifests itself through several processes: chronic inflammation, gradual cellular fatigue, slowing of metabolism, and accumulation of DNA damage. Experiments on cells and animals have shown that some interventions can slow down or partially reverse these processes, such as: cell reprogramming, cell regeneration through the integration of cells from young and elderly individuals, and early embryonic development.
To analyze aging at the level of different cellular systems, the researchers developed an algorithm they called the "aging clock," a tool that measures the biological age of cellular processes and identifies the parts that age at a faster rate.
The results revealed that chronic diseases contribute to accelerating aging by promoting inflammation, while a low-calorie diet and reducing Klotho gene activity may help improve mitochondrial function and metabolic processes.
Researchers believe these findings could pave the way for developing new methods aimed at slowing down aging and maintaining health at the cellular level.
