Drugs in Development Show Promise for Combating Aging

Are We Really Close This Time To That Elusive Fountain Of Youth?

How many times have you heard of scientists finding the revolutionary anti-aging solution only to be disappointed, so to speak? You have probably experienced such several times. The search for the perfect remedy for aging and related issues has proven a long, rather tortuous one.

But it appears scientists are drawing ever closer to the real deal, as new findings from a trial reveal two experimental drugs may help you live healthier and longer.

As reported by NPR, researchers found that these drugs appeared helpful for safely boosting the immune system of older people. They work in such a manner that can be quite useful for dealing with age-related issues.

The experimental drugs were found to produce an effect on the TORC1 cellular pathway. Many experts believe that this pathway is important for consideration when trying to slow aging. It is integral to immunity and some other biological functions.

The new study was carried out at the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research. Findings from it were recently published in Science Translational Medicine.

Study Details

Lead Researcher Joan Mannick, chief medical officer at Boston’s resTORbio Inc., said the initial focus was finding a way to make the immune system perform better.

The team administered different doses of either or both of the drugs, or a placebo to 264 individuals who were at least 65 years of age. This they did daily for a period of six weeks.

The drugs given to the subjects are known as RAD001 and BEZ235. Both are used for the treatment of cancer and are known to be TORC1 inhibitors.

After a period of administration, the researchers then observed the subjects for one year. They checked whether those treated had fewer infections and how their immune response to a flu vaccine was.

It was observed that the use of both drugs together led to 40 percent lower infections. The subjects who got the combo had 1.49 infections, compared to the placebo group’s 2.41.

There was also an improvement in how the immune systems of the elderly subjects responded to flu vaccines. There was more than a 20 percent rise in the production of antibodies.

Some might think that these improvements aren’t that dramatic; experts believe they are!

It is well known that older individuals are more likely to come down with infections. So, any improvement is useful and significant.

The efficacy of flu vaccine in the elderly is typically lower due to a weaker immune system. Improved response from these drugs is, therefore, a good thing.

Better immune response to vaccines and lower infection rates may help extend lifespan.

“Respiratory tract infections are the fourth leading cause of hospitalizations in people 65 and older and a major cause of death,” Mannick notes, stating being able to replicate the findings would be “a big deal.”

When Will the Drugs Become Available for Fighting Aging?

There was no mention of when people can look forward to getting their hands on the drugs used in the study for anti-aging purposes. As you may know, such findings typically require further research before the public can have access to the real product.

While some medical experts have expressed delight in the result of the study, some others have cautioned that it is rather too early to be too excited.

Experience has shown that many anti-aging breakthroughs soon get relegated to the background on the consideration of safety.

The good thing about the drugs used in this study – perhaps, part of the reason for enthusiasm in the medical community – is that they appear to be relatively safe. The side effect that was most common was diarrhea and this, the researchers say, was usually somewhat mild.

The people who carried out the study noted the need for further studies, partly because of the low number of subjects. Also, the methods they employed were thought capable of giving rise to misleading results.

Mannick indicated that her company has already commenced work on testing the degree of efficacy and safety in sicker elderly individuals.

A major positive of this study is that it could contribute to existing research towards finding effective anti-aging treatments.

Combating Aging with HGH

In essence, people may have to continue with whatever they have been using to combat aging before now. And one of those that appear to be especially popular is human growth hormone (HGH).

The use of growth hormone for fighting aging and age-related disorders is a controversial one – so it is with its use for bodybuilding. But in spite of all that has been said and done, people continue to take it. It probably makes you wonder why they persist with its usage.

HGH doesn’t only promote growth; it has also an effect on overall body composition. It contributes to several processes taking place in your body. For instance, people who have low levels of HGH have been observed to experience loss of bone density, loss of lean muscle mass, and accumulation of body fat. These are some of the changes we see in older people.

Researchers have found in studies that HGH therapy can help to boost the amount of this important hormone and reverse some of the unwanted changes that are part of the aging process.

In the famous 1990 study by Dr. Rudman, reduction in body fat, improved bone density, and greater muscle mass were among the HGH benefits that were observed in elderly men that were given the hormone.

Again, safety concerns are a major reason why synthetic HGH is prohibited for off-label uses, such as anti-aging treatment. The side effects can be awful.

A safer route to getting the benefits of this hormone is the use of a good HGH releaser or supplement. This type of product, often the reputable ones, includes natural ingredients that stimulate growth hormone production by the pituitary gland.