Ageing is a natural biological process in which a person goes through various stages of one's life, accompanied by the gradual transformation of organs leading to their degradation with time. It is an inevitable process that may increase the body's susceptibility to diseases and limit human life span. Rates of cancer, CVS diseases, diabetes, and dementia increase with age, making it the primary risk factor for illness. However, recent studies show that certain biological hallmarks of ageing, like telomere shortening and accumulation of senescent cells, can be reversed for the improvement at a cellular level. Telomeres are protective caps of the DNA, and as we age, their lengths get shortened, which coincides with the wearing and tearing of the cell. Thereby longer the telomeres better we are. Senescent cells are the cell which after cell division gets fatigued and die. This further leads to the accumulation of several unwanted cells in the body and thereby aggravates the process of ageing. The goal is to remove these unwanted cells and promote the formation of new cells and thus prevent ageing.

These fascinating studies give us an insight into the mechanics of cell division and how a slight alternation to it can bring about a captivating implication to humankind that might have the ability to make us live healthier and productive lives. Other treatment procedures for reverse ageing might include usage of hyperbaric oxygen, better intake of nutrients, regular exercise and a healthier lifestyle will always be the crux to improving the health span.

Is Reverse Ageing a paradigm to a newer Reality?

From time immemorial, age contemplates as one of the primary risk factors for a plethora of health diseases. Scientists are meticulously working on biological markers present in the human body, explicitly to predict age-related diseases, thereby helping in the better prognosis of an individual's overall health and wellbeing. Some epigenetic modifications might play a crucial role in the progression of ageing. A recent study in California has suggested that it might be possible to reverse a body's epigenetic clock, which measures biological age. This study gives us an idea of how drugs can rejuvenate the body's biological clock. A cocktail of three common drugs –two diabetes medications and a growth hormone were given to participants for a year which showed an average increase of 2.5 years of their biological ages. This preliminary examination also revealed a surprising result as it showed signs of rejuvenation and characteristic improvement in the body’s immune system. [here]. The epigenetic clock comprises a biochemical test to measure age using DNA methylation levels.

Challenges in defying age

Factors such as mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and telomeric attrition play focal roles to reflect biological age and thus define how age is a marker of health diseases and mortality.[ here]. Recent studies have shown that a major driver to prevent ageing lies in:

1) Lengthening of telomere: Telomeres are the short ends of DNA and are the key to slowing down the ageing process. The genomic DNA of humans and all other eukaryotes are linear, and they have two blind ends. These two ends of chromosomes contain about a thousand repetitions of base sequences. The repeats of sequences are telomeres, which are ribonucleic protein complexes that occur at the ends of chromosomes. They are like protective caps at the end of our shoelaces. However, these telomeres get shortened with each cell division and DNA replication. They protect the internal parts of chromosomes. Telomeres consist of a particular segment of non-coding DNA at the proximities of chromosomes.

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Whenever cell division occurs, DNA gets copied, and subsequently, some of the DNA becomes short. The tip of it thins out and falls off. This worn-out telomere sends signals to the cell, and the DNA is no longer protected. Cumulative research has shown how telomere attrition is directly contributing to the risk of health diseases and ageing. The telomeres fabricate our live long vitality and health span. Factors that can cause the shortening of telomeres by damaging the DNA are UV light, air pollution, smoking, mental stress and byproducts of inflammation.

2) Application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) - A clue to Longevity: Scientists are looking for ways to reverse the age of human beings. New research has highlighted the importance of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This study shows that HBOT brings changes in the length of telomeres, leading to better cellular performance. It also decreases the number of senescent cells. This study is a breakthrough as it provides the baby step in reversing cellular ageing in humans. The key to HBOT is - absorbing pure oxygen while sitting in a pressurized chamber for extensive periods. A unique system of utilizing high pressure oxygen in a gas chamber was the basis of the study .The study revealed a decline in the number of malfunctioning cells and an increase in the lengths of telomeres further boosting the immunity of the individual .Thereby this process can prove to be of huge importance if it can help prevent the aging of cells and provide a spectrum to reversing age [here].

This quantum leap is going to provide immense market value to pharmaceutical companies. But while there are many exaggerated promises of reversing age, there need to be relevant science-backed theories proving the efficacy. Gene therapy and plasma therapy have also shown milestones in achieving lengthier telomeres. More recently, stem cells from super centenarian women had their telomeres completely reset outside of her body.

3) Removal of senescent cells (The science of aged cells): The DNA controls the ageing of cell regulation and its mechanism. The renewal mechanism depends on the replenishment of cells across our lifespan. A stack of molecular changes occurs within the cells and tissues of organisms as our age advances. Ageing is a malleable phenomenon. A Cell either dies or ages. The accumulation of senescent cells causes ageing. And these senescent cells change the programming of the existing cells leading to inflammation, which gives rise to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus removal of senescent cells forms the core of improving the health and reversing the age of an organism.

Conclusion

Scientists are finding ways to increase the telomere length, which can have far-reaching implications on health and anti-aging. However, we are living on the tapering end when it comes to telomere lengthening. Although it decreases the risk of some diseases, there might be an increased risk of some cancers. The problem is that we could push ourselves to the risk of cancers, which might have more debilitating inferences.

Lifestyle changes manifest to significantly improve the length of the telomere and thereby the quality of life. Engaging in regular exercise and eating healthy foods with adequate sleep are undoubtedly the best ways to keep ourselves healthy and increase our life spans.