Scientists find a way to partially reverse aging.

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" Creating mice with a controllable telomerase switch enabled the scientists to

create prematurely aged mice. The switch also enabled the team to determine that

reactivating telomerase in the mice could restore telomeres and reduce the signs

and symptoms of aging. "

-Diane

U.S. scientists say they have partially reversed age-related degeneration in

mice, leading to new brain and testes growth, improved fertility and the return

of lost cognitive function, or thinking skills.

The advance in aging science was achieved by working with telomerase genes in

the mice, said the team at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

The researchers developed mice with a controllable telomerase gene. (Telomerase

is an enzyme that helps maintain telomeres -- the protective " caps " on the ends

of chromosomes.) As people age, low levels of telomerase lead to progressive

erosion and shortening of the telomeres, resulting in physical and mental

decline, the study authors explained in a news release from the institute.

Creating mice with a controllable telomerase switch enabled the scientists to

create prematurely aged mice. The switch also enabled the team to determine that

reactivating telomerase in the mice could restore telomeres and reduce the signs

and symptoms of aging.

In addition, the mice did not show signs of cancer -- a key concern because

cancer cells can use telomerase to make themselves virtually immortal.

Researchers noted that this is an important area of study for future

investigation.

In the future, it may be possible to use this approach to treat people with

conditions such as rare genetic premature aging syndromes, in which shortened

telomeres play an important role, said study senior author Dr. A.

DePinho, director of Dana-Farber's Belfer Institute of Applied Cancer Science.

" Whether this would impact on normal aging is a more difficult question, " he

said in the news release. " But it is notable that telomere loss is associated

with age-associated disorders and thus restoration of telomeres could alleviate

such decline. "

DePinho also said the study may lead to new directions for regenerative medicine

because the findings suggest that dormant adult stem cells in extremely aged

tissues remain viable and can be reactivated to repair tissue damage.

" If you can remove the underlying damage and stresses that drive the aging

process and cause stem cells to go into growth arrest, you may be able to

recruit them back into a regenerative response to rejuvenate tissues and

maintain health in the aged, " he said in the release.

The study was released online in advance of publication in an upcoming print

issue of the journal Nature.