Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, of Cambridge, Mass., is conducting clinical trials of red wine ingredient resveratrol in a special formulation to see if it will slow aging. Photo Credit: AFPAugust 25, 2009, (Sawf News) - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, of Cambridge, Mass., is conducting clinical trials of red wine ingredient resveratrol in a special formulation to see if it will slow aging.
The trials also include small-molecule drugs, which like resveratrol activate sirtuin, but can be given in much lower doses.
Anti-aging drugs are in their infancy and while a quick breakthrough is unlikely the trials reflect a growing optimism amidst research biologists that ageing can be checked, and may well signal the advent of an era when aging is looked upon as a disease not an inevitable natural process.
If proven successful in trials, the miracle drugs will increase longevity by mimicking caloric reduction whilst you continue to consume a normal diet.
It has been known for some time that a 30% caloric reduction over normal diet can increase life expectancy by 30-40% in mice, though it rendered them less fertile. Similar results are observed in yeast and flies, though trials on primates have yielded ambiguous results.
However, since such a drastic reduction in diet is not sustainable, the caloric reduction anti-aging approach was viewed by scientists as only of academic interest.
An alternative and more feasible approach focused on single gene changes. Many genes are involved in the body's regulation of growth, energy metabolism and reproduction. It was likely biochemical pathways affected by caloric restriction could also be altered by single gene changes.
Mice on caloric restriction are resilient to degenerative disease, which is probably why they live longer.
A gene called sir-2 prolongs life in mice and yeast. Humans have an equivalent gene called sirt. Genes regulate the body by helping produce proteins. Sirt produces proteins called sirtuins, which can detect energy levels in a cell and are activated when energy levels are low. If sirtuins are activated longevity improves.
Amidst the chemicals that can activate sirtuin is resveratrol, an ingredient of red wine. It is found in the stems, leaves, and skins of grapes.
Dr. David A. Sinclair, now of Harvard Medical School, who discovered the sir-2 gene with Leonard P. Guarente of M.I.T. has co-founded Sirtris with Christoph Westphal, a scientific entrepreneur.
Last year GlaxoSmithKline bought Sirtris for $720 million.
Not all experts agree with the caloric reduction technique being pursued by Sirtris. Some believe the life extension seen in mice was because laboratory mice are bred for rapid growth. A similar trial on wild mice produced ambiguous results.
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