Scientists have figured out how to fight age-related muscle degeneration.
In order to slow down age-related muscle degeneration, it is necessary to increase the amount of MANF protein. This was the conclusion reached by Portuguese specialists from João Lobo Antunes' Institute of Molecular Medicine.
In their study, they pointed out that this protein regulates the function of macrophages and increases their ability to clear the toxins in the muscle, Nature Aging writes.
At the same time, they were able to find that older people have reduced levels of these macrophages, so tissues have a worse ability to regenerate. In the experiment, the scientists reduced levels of MANF protein in young mice and noticed that they had the same regeneration problems as the elderly. Artificially increasing MANF, on the contrary, allowed the muscle regeneration to accelerate.
Scientists now believe that their discovery could form the basis of new methods to rejuvenate organs and muscles, potentially increasing longevity.