Researchers fight the aging process of the human body

The creatures who refuse to die, commonly known as zombies, have appeared in popular movies and TV shows for years.

Recent research has shown that an unusual part of actual human biology possesses the qualities of a zombie: a particular type of cell.

Like the stars of many scary stories, these so-called "zombie cells" also refuse to die. Studies suggest that, when they develop in your body, they lead to aging and the conditions associated with this process, such as bone and brain diseases.

Researchers are currently studying drugs that kill zombie cells and possibly treat the problems they cause.

James Kirkland is a physician and aging specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He works on research. He told the Associated Press that, generally, the goal is to combat aging itself. This could delay the onset of certain age-related diseases and disabilities.

The search was carried out mainly in mouses. Earlier this year, the first test on people was published and provided some interesting results.

Zombie cells are actually called senescent cells. They start as usual cells, but then face problems, such as a viral infection or damage to their genetic material (DNA). At this point, a cell can die or become a zombie cell – by entering a state of suspended animation.

These zombie cells release chemicals that can harm nearby normal cells. That's where the problem starts.

What kind of problem? In studies in mice, drugs that destroy zombie cells – called senolytics – have been shown to improve many different conditions. This includes cataract, Diabetes, enlargement of the heart, kidney problems and age-related muscle loss.

Studies in mice have also shown a more direct link between zombie cells and aging. When drugs targeting these cells were administered to older mice, the animals showed an improvement in walking speed, strength, and the ability to continue physical activity. Even when the researchers used this treatment on very old mice, its lifespan was prolonged by about 36%.

Researchers have also shown that placing zombie cells in young mice usually causes them to age. Their walking speed slows down. Their muscular strength and ability to stay active has also decreased. The tests showed that the newly added cells turned the other cells into a zombie state.

This year, Kirkland and his team released the first study on a zombie cell-based treatment in humans. It was 14 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease often fatal. The risk of contracting the disease increases with age and the lungs of patients show signs of zombie cells.

After three weeks of treatment, patients participating in the experiment improved certain measures of their physical health, such as walking speed. Other measures have not shown improvement.

Gregory Cosgrove is a physician and chief physician of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. He was not involved in the study. He noted that, overall, the results are auspicious.

"It really raises enthusiasm to continue with the most rigorous studies, said Cosgrove.

The field of zombie cell research is still young. But Kirkland estimates that at least 12 companies have formed or initiated efforts to study treatments.

Laura Niedernhofer is a professor of biochemistry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She suggested that, in addition to age-related diseases, zombie-based drugs may be useful in treating the early aging of cancer survivors. This condition causes the early onset of certain diseases.

Niedernhofer said that the goal was not to prevent damaged cells from turning into zombies because they could become cancerous. The goal is to kill cells that have already changed or limit the damage they do.

And what about healthy people who want to prevent aging? This is possible but very far, after studies have established that the drugs are safe enough, said Niedernhofer.

Kirkland added, "We may not be able to get there."

In any case, the experts support the research up to now. George Kuchel, physician at the Center on Aging at the University of Connecticut in Farmington, found the results very interesting.

Nir Barzilai is an aging researcher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He thinks the treatment of zombie cells will play a role in the overall effort to delay, stop and perhaps even cancel aging.

I am Bryan Lynn.

Malcolm Ritter recounted this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want your news. In your opinion, what is the probability that researchers can stop the aging process? Write to us in the Comments section.

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Words in this story

mouses – not. very small animals with pointed noses and long, thin tails

suspended animation – not. a condition in which the body processes, such as blood circulation, stop or become very slow for a certain period of time while a person or animal is unconscious

cataract(s) – not. a condition in which a part of your eye called lens becomes cloudy and you can not see well

Diabetes – not. a serious illness in which the body can not properly control the amount of sugar in your blood because it does not have enough insulin

enthusiasm – not. a strong sense of active interest for something you like or enjoy

rigorous – adj. done with care and with a lot of attention to detail