Curiosity Weekly Re-release: Young Blood, Cinnamon Memory, Microplastic Filter
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Dec 29, 2023 Michael Irving, a science journalist, discusses how an arthritis drug can mimic blood transfusions to reverse aging in mice. They also explore the potential of cinnamon improving brain health and cognition, and a new filter that removes 99.9% of microplastics from water.
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Anakinra Recreates Young Blood Effects
- Blocking IL-1B inflammation mimics benefits of young-blood transfusions without actual transfusions.
- In mice, the arthritis drug anakinra restored aged bone marrow niches and blood stem cell function to a younger state when given long-term.
Repair Versus Replacement For Aging Blood
- Anakinra repairs the aging blood production system rather than temporarily replacing components like transfusions do.
- The drug improved niche state, stem cell function and blood generation in mice, but worked best when administered lifelong rather than only in old age.
Don't Assume Mice Results Apply To Humans
- Expect caution: mouse results don’t equal human outcomes and clinical trials are needed.
- Researchers are optimistic about human trials because anakinra is already used for rheumatoid arthritis, easing translation hurdles.