SINGAPORE, Jul 21, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A group of scientists from
Singapore and the United States have discovered how to potentially delay the
aging process, Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
said on Tuesday.
Researchers from A*STAR and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine
have isolated the role of p38MAPK protein, also known to cause inflammation,
will promote aging when activated with another protein, according to a statement
by A*STAR.
They discovered that by reducing the levels of the protein p38MAPK, they were
able to delay the aging of multiple tissues.
The scientists discovered this in an experiment using genetically modified mice.
They found that several organs, including the pancreas, in the mice that had a
reduced amount of p38MAPK protein exhibited a delayed degeneration as the mice
grew older.
At the same time, they found out that by forcibly activating the protein
p38MAPK, it caused insulin resistance in mice, by stunting the growth of
insulin-producing islet beta cells and caused insulin resistance in mice. This
is how Type 2 diabetes developed.
The scientists believe that this would mean they could potentially treat
age-related degenerative conditions triggered by the protein p38MAPK. New
treatment approaches for type 2 diabetes in the elderly could also be developed.
A*STAR is the lead scientific agency in Singapore which aims to foster
scientific research and talent for Singapore.