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What’s New in Longevity for November 2024?

In our November longevity newsletter, we go over new anti-ageing news, longevity research and new insights into how to increase healthspan.

Like previous editions, we’ve linked the longevity studies so you can dive deeper into learning about the science of longevity. You can also head to the bottom of the post to find previous months’ latest longevity research into extending lifespan of humans and animals!

Let’s go over what’s new in longevity, November 2024 edition!

Stem Cell Breakthrough Offers Hope for Osteoarthritis Treatment

A new study has found small extracellular vesicles from embryonic stem cells (ESC-sEVs) can reverse osteoarthritis-related damage in cells and mice.

Osteoarthritis occurs when an excess of senescent cells in cartilage disrupts the balance, causing more tissue degradation than repair.

While previous treatments targeted senescent cells for removal, this approach failed in clinical trials, as some senescent cells are vital for tissue regrowth.

Researchers tested a rejuvenation strategy using ESC-sEVs, which have shown success in repairing other tissues, to address advanced osteoarthritis.

When human cartilage cells were exposed to ageing signals and treated with ESC-sEVs, they showed fewer signs of ageing and restored tissue-building capabilities.

In mice with surgically induced osteoarthritis, ESC-sEV injections reduced senescence and regrew cartilage, with similar success seen in naturally aged mice.

Although the treatment doesn’t fully restore cartilage to youthful levels, it offers a safe, long-term method to slow disease progression and, if confirmed in human trials, this breakthrough could pave the way for a powerful new treatment for osteoarthritis sufferers.

A More Varied Diet May Slow Down Ageing

New research analysing data from over 22,000 people found that eating a wider variety of foods is linked to slower biological ageing.

Unlike previous studies focused on specific diets, this one emphasised overall dietary diversity, which provides a mix of essential nutrients, antioxidants and bioactive compounds.

Biological age, a more accurate predictor of health than chronological age, was assessed using advanced biomarkers, showing lower biological ageing in participants with diverse diets.

The findings remained consistent across different models, even after accounting for factors like smoking, alcohol use and pre-existing health conditions.

Higher dietary diversity was also associated with lower inflammation and oxidative stress, two factors closely tied to ageing and disease progression.

Researchers hypothesise that antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients and a healthier gut microbiome from diverse diets may protect against ageing.

Though observational, the study aligns with earlier findings that limited food variety increases the risk of age-related diseases and earlier mortality.

Intranasal Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Early Alzheimer's in Mice

A new intranasal therapy using extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from neuronal stem cells has shown promise in alleviating early Alzheimer’s disease in mice.

Unlike traditional stem cell treatments, which can be difficult to administer, EVs are tiny, membrane-bound particles that can deliver therapeutic molecules without the complexities of full cell therapy.

Researchers used human-induced pluripotent stem cells to create neural stem cells, which were then harvested for EVs and administered to mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.

The treatment successfully reduced inflammation in the brain and decreased the buildup of harmful amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

Tests showed that the EVs improved cognitive function and restored mood in the mice, which had previously lost interest in sweetened water, a sign of anhedonia seen in human Alzheimer’s patients.

While the study was conducted on mice, the results were promising enough to suggest the potential for human applications, as the EVs also helped human microglia cells in laboratory tests.

This intranasal approach offers a non-invasive, easily administered treatment that could one day be used to combat Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders.

New CAR T Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Brain Cancer

A new study has revealed an advanced method of engineering T cells to fight brain tumours, specifically glioblastomas.

CAR T cell therapy has shown success in treating blood cancers, but solid tumours like those in the brain are much harder to target effectively.

One challenge with glioblastomas is that the tumours create an environment that suppresses the immune system, making it difficult for treatments to work.

To overcome this, researchers developed a fourth-generation CAR T cell therapy that not only targets tumour cells but also combats the tumour’s immune-suppressing defences.

In experiments with mice, the new therapy performed exceptionally well, eliminating most tumours and extending survival rates significantly compared to previous treatments.

The engineered T cells also encouraged other immune cells to invade the tumours and destroy cancer cells, enhancing the therapy’s effectiveness.

While the results are promising, researchers believe their approach could offer a better path for clinical trials than previous methods targeting tumour defences like CD47.

Telomir Pharmaceuticals Unveils Promising Age-Reversal Compound in Preclinical Study

Telomir Pharmaceuticals has announced results from a preclinical study demonstrating that their compound, Telomir-1, can reverse biological ageing and extend healthy lifespans.

Using advanced technology in collaboration with Nagi Biosciences, the study showed that Telomir-1 improved mobility, reversed age-related decline and significantly increased the lifespan of ageing organisms.

The compound works by addressing the biological drivers of ageing, offering new hope for reversing age-related diseases and improving overall quality of life.

Telomir-1 showed potential in reducing biological age markers in a well-established ageing model, highlighting its promise for longevity treatments.

The study's findings could pave the way for Telomir-1 to be used in human clinical trials to treat ageing and related diseases and while still in the preclinical phase, Telomir-1's success in animal models raises hopes for future human applications in promoting longevity and healthier ageing.

Vitamin B3 May Hold the Key to COPD Treatment

A recent study suggests that nicotinamide riboside, a form of vitamin B3, could reduce lung inflammation and potentially slow the ageing process in people with COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects 600 million people worldwide, often causing breathing difficulties and limiting daily activities.

The study found that vitamin B3 reduced inflammation markers in COPD patients, leading to improved lung health.

Participants who took two grams of vitamin B3 daily showed a 53 per cent reduction in inflammation markers after six weeks, with improvements continuing for another 12 weeks.

The research also revealed that vitamin B3 boosted levels of NAD, a molecule linked to cellular ageing, suggesting it could have a role in slowing age-related damage.

While the results are promising, researchers emphasise the need for larger, more comprehensive studies to confirm the potential of vitamin B3 in treating COPD and delaying ageing.

Abu Dhabi Sets Global Standards for Longevity Medicine with New Clinic Guidelines

Abu Dhabi has introduced the world’s first evidence-based clinical guidelines for longevity medicine, aimed at improving healthy ageing and extending life.

In collaboration with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) and the Healthy Longevity Medicine Society (HLMS), these guidelines focus on preventive care, targeting age-related diseases and enhancing overall well-being.

The DOH has also licensed IHLAD as the first Healthy Longevity Medicine Centre (HLMC), setting a global precedent for regulated longevity clinics.

These clinics will integrate lifestyle medicine, personalised interventions and advanced diagnostics to address ageing, improve fitness and manage chronic conditions.

The guidelines, effective from April 2025, will ensure standardised practices, including comprehensive assessments of biological age and emphasise personalised care programs.

The new model prioritises preventative strategies, aiming to reduce age-related diseases and promote healthier, longer lives for ageing populations worldwide.

With a focus on personalised strategies, the framework offers a proactive approach to successful ageing, making it a key development in global health and longevity medicine.

Depression's Hidden Toll on Health and Lifespan

Depression not only affects mood but also disrupts the body's stress systems, leading to physical health risks like heart disease and diabetes.

Research shows that depression shortens life expectancy by 7 to 10 years due to the strain it places on the body’s hormone systems and stress responses.

One major brain change in depression is a 40 per cent reduction in the size of the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which plays a key role in stress regulation.

The condition also causes imbalances in hormones like cortisol, norepinephrine and CRH, contributing to a range of physical illnesses, including stroke and osteoporosis.

Different types of depression, such as melancholic and atypical, show varying responses in stress systems, which could lead to more tailored treatments in the future.

This new research suggests that personalised treatments targeting hormone imbalances might improve outcomes for those with depression, highlighting the importance of neuroendocrine dysfunction in depression and offering new pathways for therapy.

End Note

The latest research on longevity is constantly updating, so it’s important to keep up with the longevity technology and anti-ageing human trials to see if some new lifespan study has refuted a previous one or if there are further updates. It’s also incredibly fascinating to learn all about where life is being improved for humans.

For more longevity news and insights into natural ageing and healthspan extension, you can read our previous editions!

If you’re looking for longevity science supplements, here at Xandro, we’re all about biohacking and improving your health span in a way that’s tailored to you. Do your research and see if there’s one that may benefit your health and your future! You can also learn more about your health through our blogs, with updates each week!