Scientists believe they have unlocked the secret of younger-looking skin in a development which raises the prospect of an elixir of youth.The researchers were able to rejuvenate the skin of elderly mice by blocking the activity of a single gene. Not only did the skin of the two-year-old mice appear more youthful, but at a biological level they resembled newborns.
Howard Chang, from the Stanford School of Medicine in California, who led the research, said the findings showed ageing could be temporarily reversed. "These findings suggest that ageing is not just a result of wear and tear, but is also the consequence of a continually active genetic program that might be blocked for improving human health," he said.
However, there is no telling what long-term harmful side effects might result from tinkering with the gene, NF-kappa-B. The protein made by the gene has roles in a number of body functions including the immune system, and may help fight cancer or other diseases, the researchers said.
Source: Smh
Tags: Elixir of Youth | NF-Kappa-B | Gene | Mice
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