2023-05-27 13:30:00
For ten years, Miguel Godinho Ferreira asked himself the question: can the aging of one organ – in this case the intestine – lead to the aging of others? He finally managed to answer it: We have finally shown the initiating role of the intestine in agingindicates the director of research at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (Ircan) who has just published an article in the journal Nature Aging with his post-doctoral fellow Mounir El Maï. Delaying its aging also delays that of other organs. »
More precisely, the researchers showed that slowing down the shortening of the ends of the chromosomes – the telomeres (see Landmarks) – in the cells of the intestine over the life of the zebrafish makes it possible to limit the appearance of problems related to age.
To prevent the shortening of telomeres in the intestine, the researchers used a molecular biology technique to make its cells produce a molecule: telomerase. “ This enzyme is present in our cells. It limits telomere shortening and is essential for good health. For reasons we don’t know, we stop producing it at birth and we have to live with our stock. “Said Miguel Godinho Ferreira. A stock that dwindles over time, leading to the appearance of diseases.
Communication
inter-organ
In the researchers’ experiment, when zebrafish gut cells produce telomerase after birth, the gut chromosomes shorten less, it degrades less, and so do other organs in the body – whose cells do not produce telomerase. ” The intestine longer correctly fulfills its role as a barrier that prevents external elements from entering the body “Explains Miguel Godinho Ferreira. Because with age, it tends to crack and lead to chronic inflammation. ” And the intestinal flora retains its diversity “, he adds. As for the rest of the body: Disorders of muscles, fertility, or cells that produce blood are delayed “, he assures.
How does the intestine communicate with other organs? ” This is the next stage of our worksays the researcher. Understanding this could allow this communication to be manipulated to allow people who are aging to regain their health. »
By modifying the nature of the intestinal microbiota, for example. Or by preventing the molecules produced by the inflamed intestine from spreading. Even by blocking the nervous communication that starts from the intestine. “ He is our” second brain “because of the large number of neurons that compose it “Said Miguel Godinho Ferreira. Handling them may allow you to live in full health until the end of our days.
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