Discover the secret of

A new study shows that the intestines of fruit flies may contain the secret of 'fresh springs'. This can lead to other drugs or therapies to prevent aging and age-related diseases.

According to the ANI news agency, scientists from the Salk Biological Research Institute (USA) found the transformation of a gene called PGC-1 , which is also found in human DNA, in intestinal stem cells. Fruit flies can delay the aging of the intestine and prolong their life by 50%.

Fruit fly

'Fruit flies and humans have more in common than most of us think. There is a considerable degree of similarity between the human intestine and the fruit fly intestine , 'said lead researcher Leanne Jones.

Jones and colleagues used genetic engineering methods to promote the dPGC-1 gene activity in fruit flies, the "copy" of the human PCG-1 gene.

They found that increasing dPGC-1 gene activity led to the emergence of a larger number of mitochondria and greater energy production in flies, a phenomenon also seen in organisms that perform limited calorie diet.

When the gene's activity is enhanced in the intestinal stem cells and precursors, which are able to supplement intestinal tissue, these cell changes correspond to better health and longer lifespan. .

Flies live 20-50% longer, depending on the method and level of action of the dPGC-1 gene.

The results of the study are published in the journal Cell Metabolism.