Drug found to reverse ageing

A study published in the journal Cell has suggested that a drug used to reverse aspects of ageing in mice has yielded successful results.

The research involved giving old mice a peptide (Proxofim or FOXO4-DRI) that disrupts the binding between two proteins (FOXO4 and p53) and found the mice became fitter and more alert, their coat of fur became fuller again, and their organ function improved.

It is hoped that with further research and clinical trials, the discovery could inform studies on healthy ageing and how people can become healthier once they have ailments. Moreover, the drug appeared to work well for certain end stage cancers and could help in the search for treatments such cancers

Peter de Keizer, a researcher of ageing at Erasmus MC's department of Molecular Genetics, explained that Proxofim tackles ageing by eliminating senescent cells (cells which have stopped dividing).

Keizer said: “Proxofim stimulates the surrounding stem cells to create new tissue. It is a peptide, a small protein that can easily penetrates into cells." It had a huge effect in mice. After three weeks their running wheel activity increased  two to three times, their organ function improved, and after ten days their coat of fur became fuller again."