Good Morning,
Dive into this special dog-centric edition of your trusted longevity digest.
Our four-legged friends are guiding us towards groundbreaking insights, with Loyal’s FDA-endorsed study marking a monumental stride in the realm of lifespan extension. Venturing further, we join Matt Kaeberlein in his quest to decipher the aging mysteries of dogs, hoping to unlock secrets pertinent to human longevity. And, as we unravel the storied past and immense potential of rapamycin, we’re offered a vivid testament to nature’s unceasing wonders.
Embarking on a journey where man’s best friend might just hold the key to human longevity.
Onward and forward …
FDA Endorse Longevity Trial (in Dogs?) (Loyal For Dogs)
Loyal has achieved a significant milestone with an FDA-endorsed design for their canine longevity clinical study, aiming to ascertain if their drug can enhance healthy lifespan in dogs. This concurrence heralds the first-ever acceptance of a study focusing on overall lifespan and healthspan extension, diverging from typical drug evaluations targeting specific ailments.
Loyal’s pioneering work could pave the way for future clinical studies in humans, emphasizing the broader implications of lifespan research. The company also underscores the paramount importance of FDA approval, stressing its stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness, setting it apart from unregulated supplements.
How Studying Dogs Could Unlock Human Longevity (The Scientist)
Matt Kaeberlein, originally from MIT and now a biogerontologist at the University of Washington, delves deep into the aging processes of dogs to uncover insights into human longevity. Steering the Dog Aging Project since 2014, alongside colleagues from the University of Washington and Texas A&M University, the team has enrolled over 44,000 dogs to study age-related diseases and the impact of lifestyle.
A notable aspect of the project is the exploration of the drug rapamycin, known to increase lifespan in lab animals, and its potential in extending the lifespan of older dogs. Through these studies, Kaeberlein aspires not only to enhance the quality of life for canines but also to uncover parallels between aging in dogs and humans, potentially benefiting human longevity.
The Anti-Aging Miracle with an Unfortunate Past (Big Think)
Rapamycin, a compound first identified from Easter Island soil in 1972, was initially recognized for its antifungal properties. However, its potential soon shifted when researchers discovered its unprecedented anti-cancer activity. The drug, having both immunosuppressive and cytostatic capabilities, could halt cancer cells without killing them. Yet, due to unfortunate events at Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, its initial developer, rapamycin was sidelined for years.
Upon research revival, rapamycin’s wide-ranging cell growth inhibitory effects and connections to the mTOR protein were uncovered. It was approved for organ transplant patients in 1999, and subsequent studies revealed its potential anti-aging properties. While traditionally seen as an immunosuppressant, its ability to rejuvenate immunity is now gaining attention.
In this week’s digest, the frontier of longevity research blazes new trails, with our canine companions leading the way.
Loyal’s FDA-endorsed trial isn’t just another scientific pursuit; it’s an indication of a broader shift in how we approach longevity, shifting the lens from merely curing ailments to enhancing life itself. Meanwhile, Matt Kaeberlein and his team’s passion for understanding aging in dogs offers exciting prospects for human lifespan research. And as we delve into the saga of rapamycin, from its Easter Island roots to its rejuvenating potential, we’re reminded of the surprises nature still holds for us.
Here’s to fetching more mysteries and rewriting the tail-tale of aging.
Woof,
The Longr Reads Team
“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”
Mark Twain, Writer and Humorist
Longr Reads’ of the Week
- The quest to live to 140 (Financial Times)
- A global roadmap to seize the opportunities longevity (Nature)
- Why do women live longer than men? (Time)
