VEGF for life extension

Growth factor that prevents aging

Maria Tolmacheva, XX2 century

Scientists have increased the lifespan of mice using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The paper describing the achievement is published in Science (Grunewald et al., Countering age-related VEGF signaling insufficiency promotes healthy aging and extends life span).

VEGF is a growth factor that activates molecular cascades in the body responsible for vascular permeability and growth and cell migration and growth. This growth factor is produced in the liver.  With aging, the state of the cardiovascular system plays an important role. Its deterioration over time, in fact, is one of the distinctive signs of aging of the body.

The authors of the study bred transgenic mice whose VEGF levels were twice as high as normal. In these animals, the growth factor was constantly produced in the liver and got into the blood.

Figure from the article Grunewald et al. – VM.

Compared to the control groups, transgenic VEGF mice lived much longer. The average life expectancy of such animals was extended by 48% and 39% in females and males, respectively, and the maximum – by 20% (males) and 15% (females).

The researchers suggest that in the future this discovery may help prevent aging processes in other mammals, including, possibly, in humans.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru