A different point of view
Interesting article that argues for telomere therapy and against senolytics.
https://www.leafscience.org/are-senolytics-potentially-damaging-for-longevity/
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Yes, I agree . These are opposing views. But this is how science move forward. Senolytics and elimination of senescent cells or rejuvenation through moving old cells into a more youthful state. “Dr. Fossel is a driving force behind the company Telocyte and has been the leader in proposing the use of telomerase to treat human disease for the past two decades”. It is natural that he, as an expert on telemorase therapy, push for his approach. At the same way as the mayo group push their own research forward.
It brings my thoughts to parabiosis and the related research. Like the one that Conboy is doing. Like..
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512838/
“The regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle declines with age. Previous studies suggest that this process can be reversed by exposure to young circulation, but systemic age-specific factors responsible for this phenomenon are largely unknown. Here we report that oxytocin- a hormone best known for its role in lactation, parturition, and social behaviors - is required for proper muscle tissue regeneration and homeostasis, and that plasma levels of oxytocin decline with age. Inhibition of oxytocin signaling in young animals reduces muscle regeneration, whereas systemic administration of oxytocin rapidly improves muscle regeneration by enhancing aged muscle stem cell activation/proliferation throughactivation of the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. We further show that the genetic lack of oxytocin does not cause a developmental defect in muscle, but instead leads to premature sarcopenia. Considering that oxytocin is an FDA approved drug, this work reveals a potential novel and safe way to combat or prevent skeletal muscle aging.”
Senolytics is not the only “holy” grail. Stem cells research and telemorase research look promising.
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The problem with his views is he seems to fail to take into account the stress and damage on stem cells from a SASP saturated environment. Not only that senescent cells push surrounding cells senescent.
This is means there are now more cell deaths that need to be replaced thus increasing the load on stem cells. We also have laboratory evidence confirming the beneficial effects is senolytics on lifespan on health.
I feel this one scientist is just too vested in his particular field of rejuvenation.
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Fossel is indeed a fossil. His telomere-as-a clock theory was hot in the 1990s. Telomeres indeed get shorter with cell division, and when they get short enough, the cell becomes senescent. Clearing senescent cells with senolytics gets rid of those, and there are many supplements, e.g. Epitalon, that support the production of telomerase and make your telomeres longer. Steve Horvath has found that there is a very poor correlation between telomere length and aging. Further, there's no easy and economical way to get your telomere length measured. In my opinion, the best strategy is to take some Epitalon or equivalent, do senolytics every few months, and then don't worry about your telomere length.