Two naturally-occurring molecules found to reverse signs of ageing in mice

There has been another milestone in the quest to stave off ageing and help prevent age-related disease.

UNSW and Harvard researchers have found that two naturally occurring molecules can help mice run faster and protect against frailty.

They treated mice with NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and increased their levels of hydrogen sulphide.

Senior investigator Dr David Sinclair said the compounds together restored the inner lining of their blood vessels.

He said the study showed why the inner lining (endothelial cells) are the main culprit in ageing and the likely reason why we feel tired as we age.

"If we give these compounds to animals which are late in life – the equivalent of a 60 to 90-year-old human – these animals can run much further. In fact, they can run 50 to 60 percent further on a treadmill," said Dr Lindsay Wu, UNSW's Ageing Lab.

Using sophisticated imaging, scientists found that the compounds were able to restore the growth of capillaries in muscles and improve blood flow.

"The good thing about these molecules is that our body actually makes them. It's just that when we grow old, we just can't make it enough," said lead author Dr Abhirup Das from UNSW's School of Medical Sciences.

The latest development has been published in the medical journal, Cell.

The team has been working for five years to turn their research into therapy for humans.

Human trials of a booster compound called MIB-626 were completed in Boston last year with a second phase to commence later in 2018.

"If these findings translate from mouse to human, we could have a revolutionary impact on the quality of life of older people – not to mention the benefits of avoiding diseases of ageing," said Dr Wu.

Last year, their work led to signing a contract with NASA which could see them one day protect the health of astronauts in their mission to Mars.