Scientists discover enzyme that could slow part of the aging process in astronauts…and the elderly
New research published online in the FASEB Journal
suggests that a specific enzyme, called 5-lipoxygenase, plays a key
role in cell death induced by microgravity environments, and that
inhibiting this enzyme will likely help prevent or lessen the severity
of immune problems in astronauts caused by spaceflight. Additionally,
since space conditions initiate health problems that mimic the aging
process on Earth, this discovery may also lead to therapeutics that
extend lives by bolstering the immune systems of the elderly.
“The
outcomes of this space research might be helpful to improve health in
the elderly on Earth,” said Mauro Maccarrone, Ph.D., a researcher
involved in the work from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the
University of Teramo in Teramo, Italy. “In fact, space conditions [cause
problems that] resemble the physiological process of aging and drugs
able to reduce microgravity-induced immunodepression might be effective
therapeutics against loss of immune performance in aging people.
5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, already used to curb human inflammatory
diseases, may be such a group of compounds.”
Maccarone
and colleagues made this discovery by conducting experiments involving
two groups of human lymphocytes that were isolated from the blood of two
healthy donors. The first group of lymphocytes was exposed to
microgravity onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The second
group was put in a centrifuge onboard the ISS, to have the same “space
environment” as the other group, but a normal Earth-like force of
gravity. When programmed cell death (apoptosis) was measured in both
groups, the lymphocytes exposed to microgravity showed an increase above
what is considered “normal.” The group exposed to the simulated Earth
gravity showed no unusual differences. Specifically, the researchers
believe that this difference is caused by different levels of the
5-lipoxygenase enzyme.
“It’s no surprise that bodies need Earth’s gravity to function properly,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal,
“because we evolved to survive on this planet. As humanity moves into
space and potentially to other planets or asteroids, it’s clear that we
need know how not only to secure habitable conditions, but also how to
secure our health. Fortunately, as we learn how to cope with low gravity
environments, we also unlock secrets to longevity back home on Earth.”
Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
