Validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases

Abstract

Humans die from age-related diseases, which are deadly manifestations of the aging process. In order to extend life span, an anti-aging drug must delay age-related diseases. All together age-related diseases are the best biomarker of aging. Once a drug is used for treatment of any one chronic disease, its effect against other diseases (atherosclerosis, cancer, prostate enlargement, osteoporosis, insulin resistance, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, age-related macular degeneration) may be evaluated in the same group of patients. If the group is large, then the anti-aging effect could be validated in a couple of years. Startlingly, retrospective analysis of clinical and preclinical data reveals four potential anti-aging modalities.

Keywords: anti-aging drugs; atherosclerosis; cancer; diseases; metformin; rapamycin; resveratrol.

Figure 1.. The TOR intracellular signaling pathway.

Nutrients, GF (growth factors) and insulin activate the TOR pathway, which is involved in aging and age-related diseases. Other genetic factors and environmental factors (e.g., smoking) contribute to specific age-related diseases. Three potential anti-aging modalities (metformin, calorie restriction and rapamycin) all inhibit the TOR pathway.

Figure 2.. Re-interpretation of the hyperlipidemic side effect of rapamycin.

Rapamycin activates adipose tissue lipase, thus mobilizing lipids from the fat tissue (lipolysis). This effect imitates starvation. Also, rapamycin inhibits lipoprotein lipase thus preventing utilization of lipids by the fat tissue and blocking lipid uptake by the arterial wall. This results in increase in blood lipids.