Scientists discovered that a type of male hormones can be the key to longer lives as it prevents cell degeneration and postpones ageing. #todaymagic
A team of researchers from US and Brazil realized that a steroid called danazol (synthetic male hormone) is able to generate telomerase, an enzyme naturally produced by the body when cells divide. Telomerase is essential to cell life since it can stop the DNA inside them to shrink. In order to do that, the enzyme first prevents the degeneration of telomeres, the caps at the end of chromosomes.
“Each time a cell divides, its telomeres get shorter,” Rodrigo Calado, researcher at the University of São Paulo added. “Eventually, the cell can’t replicate anymore and dies or becomes senescent [biologically aged]. However, telomerase can keep the length of telomeres intact, even after cell division.”
If this steroid can trigger more telomerase, helping us live longer lives and fighting against diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, why aren’t companies jumping at the opportunity of producing it in bulk? For one, the findings have just surfaced but there are also some side effects to consider. Such hormones can give mood swings, tiredness and digestive system problems. Until they can reduce that threat and rule out dangerous scenarios, it’s not going to hit market.
The important thing is that scientists have found one sure way to fight against the passing of time and we can’t wait to see how this is going to affect generations to come.
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