Scientists make a discovery that could lead to the return of life to the heart for years!

A few years ago, Italian researchers discovered something special about people who lived to be 90 or older.

They usually have a copy of the BPIFB4 gene, which protects the heart and blood vessels from damage and keeps the heart in good shape for a longer period of time.

By introducing the mutant gene into old mice, the scientists saw how this variant restores the biological signs of heart aging equivalent to more than 10 human years.

In middle-aged mice, the same treatment has been shown to halt the decline in cardiac function.

How quickly the heart and the blood vessels closest to it wear out usually depends on several factors, including how much we drink and whether we smoke. Judging by the results of the study, mutations in the genes encoding the protein also play an important role.

The longevity-associated variant (LAV) of the BPIFB4 gene that the researchers studied is already associated with longevity in humans and is often found in people who live longer than usual, including those in their 90s and older. This discovery prompted researchers to take a closer look at the physiological effects of the variant.

In addition to testing in mice, the team added the gene to human heart cells in the lab to see what the effects would be. The cells were taken from 24 elderly patients with severe heart disease, including those who had previously had a heart transplant.

The results showed that LAV-BPIFB4 plays an important role in the maintenance of surrounding cells. Their job involves creating and maintaining new blood vessels, which in turn allows the heart to work longer.

Monica Cattaneo, cardiovascular researcher at the IRCCS Multimedica Group in Italy, says: “It has been shown that cells in older patients, especially those that support the construction of new blood vessels, called pericytes, function less well and are older. Longevity Gene/Protein Addition In vitro, we observed the process of heart regeneration: the heart cells of elderly patients with heart failure resumed their normal functioning, proving that they are more efficient in building new blood vessels.”

While centenarians naturally pass the BPIFB4 gene mutation to their children, it is speculated that this could be adapted to treat people whose parents would not have lived to old age and who have heart problems.

Transferring the BPIFB4 gene to mice has already been shown to halt atherosclerosis, diabetes and other complications, and future clinical trials could be used to see if the same protective effects appear in humans.

Researchers are also exploring the possibility of using the BPIFB4 protein as a treatment instead of the BPIFB4 gene that generates it. Although both options are possible, the use of proteins is safer and easier.

The study was published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Research.

Source: Science Alert