An unusual way to slow down aging was presented by scientists. One of the alternative forms of vitamin B3 (niacin) turned out to be a real “elixir of youth” for the cardiovascular system.
The thing is that the form of niacin developed by scientists “deceives” the body, forcing it to believe that it is experiencing an acute shortage of calories. This has a rejuvenating effect on the heart muscle, according to Nature Communications.
According to Doug Seals, who represents the University of Colorado, the research team set itself the goal of studying exactly how an alternative form of niacin affects the human body under the condition of long-term use.
As it turned out, the drug is well tolerated and activates some of the gene chains that are “turned on” when there is a lack of calories.
As evidenced by the results of experiments conducted back in the 60s of the last century, in which rodents were involved, a diet with a reduced calorie content significantly prolongs life. Over the next decades, biologists isolated genes and hormones that could potentially be participants in this phenomenon, but scientists failed to use any of these substances to increase life expectancy.
The researchers’ main goal was to pinpoint the genes that turn on when calories are reduced. The scientists also tried to determine which signaling molecules are able to “start” these genes, provided that in reality a person will not starve.
Empirically, it was possible to establish that one of the substances that can “start” longevity genes is a combination of nicotinic acid, ammonia and ribose sugar. Despite the fact that this alternative form of vitamin B3 was discovered in the middle of the last century, scientists have become interested in it relatively recently.
As it turned out, in its structure this substance resembles molecules with which the SIRT1 protein interacts, which is one of the main “conductors” of metabolic processes in our body.
The researchers hypothesized that B3 would help mimic a calorie deficit, thereby triggering some of the defense responses.
Several dozen volunteers of the older age group (fifty-five to seventy-nine years) took part in the biologists’ experiment. Half of them ate regular food and vitamins, while the rest received an alternative version of B3.
A blood test, conducted six weeks later, showed that the new drug increased the activity of a number of proteins that prevent the aging of the body. As a result, rejuvenation of the vascular system was recorded. Study participants who suffered from hypertension had reduced blood pressure.
Now scientists are planning larger trials that will confirm the miraculous effect of the new version of niacin.