Is the era of treating aging approaching?
Currently, researchers around the world are rigorously studying a "cocktail approach" to anti-aging therapy, which aims to halt the deterioration of the body that progresses with age and dramatically extend healthy lifespan.
This anti-aging cocktail targets three mechanisms simultaneously to suppress the progression of aging and promote body rejuvenation.
1. Supplementation of NAD⁺
NAD⁺ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a crucial coenzyme that supports energy production within cells. By administering precursors such as NMN and NR, an increase in NAD⁺ levels has been confirmed in humans, with reported effects including improved insulin sensitivity and enhanced walking endurance.
2. Partial reprogramming using "Yamanaka factors"
Among the "Yamanaka factors" (OSKM) known for the discovery of iPS cells, the periodic expression of three factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4) has been reported to double the lifespan in mouse experiments as of 2023. While applications to humans are still in the local treatment stage, clinical trials for optic nerve diseases are beginning.
3. Inhibition of mTOR
By suppressing the cell signaling pathway "mTOR," which promotes aging, metabolism and cellular stress responses are regulated. The immunosuppressant rapamycin is a representative example, and the PEARL trial in 2024 reported improvements in bone mass, muscle mass, and quality of life. However, the impact on lifespan itself requires further follow-up studies.
The concept of such "rejuvenation therapies" may sound like science fiction at first glance. However, experts suggest that this complex approach targeting multiple pathways has brought the idea of achieving a "healthy lifespan of 110 to 120 years" into view.
That said, at this stage, the "long-term efficacy and safety in humans" have not yet been established, necessitating further clinical trials and careful verification.
The focus is not on "how long one can live," but rather on "how to live healthily." The medical field is currently seeking answers to this question. Anti-aging technologies are not an end goal but rather tools to live the extended time "better."