British researchers may have found a way to live longer in an already known drug for high blood pressure. At least in the case of worms, the drug had a positive effect on lifespan and cell health.
Liverpool/Zurich/Bremen – It’s a well-known development: our society is getting older. But with every year of life, the risk of serious diseases increases. How nice would it be to have a remedy that not only prolongs this aging process, but also gives us more years of life? And which can also be spent in a healthier way?
British researchers have now come up with a remedy against high blood pressure good experience in this regard – but initially only in studies with roundworms. Theoretically, the same mechanisms can also be applied to humans. That reports Kreiszeitung.de.
Blood Pressure Drug Rilmenidine as Key to Longer Life?
For their study, the research team led by João Pedro de Magalhães from the University of Liverpool treated both young and old roundworms of the genus Caenorhabditis elegans with the blood pressure medication Rilmenidin. It was found that the drug had a life-prolonging effect on the animals. This was not only observed in the younger worms, but also the older animals could benefit from the treatment with rilmenidin. The scientists identified the signaling receptor called Nish-1 as the decisive factor for the effect of the drug.
Treatment for roundworms: Animals live longer thanks to the blood pressure medication
Such receptors are protein complexes that serve as binding sites for certain molecules, which in turn transmit signals to the inside of the cell. This is how certain processes within the cells are controlled. In the case of Nish-1, the administration of the blood pressure drug was found to have a life-prolonging effect as well as improved cell health and stress resilience.
Blood pressure medication Rilmenidin prolongs life – also improves health in old age and stress resilience
“With a global population that is aging, the benefits of delaying aging, albeit slightly, are immense,” says Magalhães, who led the study. The drug rilmenidine is already widely used around the world to increased blood pressure to treat. However, further studies must first determine whether it can also be used in the fight against aging as a so-called “anti-aging drug”. Because it is still unclear whether it behaves in humans in the same way as in nematodes.
High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease
However, it is clear that it is important high blood pressure to be treated accordingly, because it poses an immense health risk. The consequences of hypertension are often underestimated. The disease can damage the vessels as well as the brain, kidneys and heart. The risk of cardiovascular diseases such as Heart attack or cardiac arrhythmias in those affected increases. However, high blood pressure does not always have to be treated with medication. You can often lower it with a change in lifestyle – the best way to do this is with regular exercise, an appropriate diet or by losing a few pounds.