Scientists detect chemical compound that can reportedly reverse the effects of aging

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

A 'fountain of youth' pill could be on the horizon after scientists found a chemical compound that reverses the effects of aging.

Geriatric rodents injected with the newly discovered compound, BAM15, became more sprightly.

The obese animals shed weight, gained strength and increased physical activity.

The compound even turns fat back into muscle, reduces inflammation and could combat frailty, say the US team.

Lead author Dr. Christopher Axelrod, an exercise physiologist, said: "Loss of muscle mass is typically not a concern in younger adults with obesity.

"However, as people age, that changes. Older adults with 'sarcopenic obesity' suffer accelerated muscle loss. They become less active.

"As a result, they are at high risk for falls, stroke, heart disease, poorer quality of life and premature death."

The condition leads to age-related muscle loss accompanied by an increase in fat tissue.

Weakness was offset in mice administered the therapy. They were the equivalent of 60 to 65 years old in human years and were fed high-fat diets.

Despite that, those given BAM15 lost weight and got more powerful and robust. It works by making mitochondria, the power plants of cells, burn more energy.

Dr. Axelrod, of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said: "Typically, when you lose weight, you also lose muscle, and in some circumstances, you can lose a lot of it.

"In this study, the aged mice increased their muscle mass by an average of eight percent, their strength by 40 percent, while they lost more than 20 percent of their fat."

The study has important implications for improving the quality of life for older adults. In particular, it could help the rapidly growing number of overweight individuals.

Preventing, delaying, or reversing the causes and consequences of sarcopenic obesity is a medical 'holy grail' allowing millions to live longer and healthier lives.

Co-lead author Dr. John Kirwan said: "These data highlight mitochondrial uncouplers may play an important role in improving healthspan - the time a person enjoys good health - in advanced age."

Analysis showed the medication replaced damaged with healthy mitochondria and
reduced inflammation linked to muscle loss - key factors in healthy aging.

Added Dr Kirwan: "Extending health span is even more important than extending lifespan.

"Suppose you could add 20 or 30 years to a person’s life. What would be the point if their quality of life was awful?"

The findings are in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle.