Nature Aging: experimental drug rejuvenated the livers of old and sick mice

Scientists have discovered how aging leads to the loss of certain liver cells. They were able to reverse this process in elderly mice using an experimental drug. The results of the study are published in the journal Nature Aging.

The liver can renew itself, making it considered one of the most resilient organs. However, stress and aging can still cause its severe diseases. For example, one in three people suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which leads to scarring and cirrhosis. Aging is a key risk factor for cirrhosis in NAFLD.

In the new study, scientists compared the livers of young and aged mice. The older animals had more active genes associated with the loss of hepatocytes, the main functioning cells in the liver.

The scientists showed that the experimental drug ferrostatin-1 could prevent hepatocyte loss. It blocked ferroptosis - self-destruction of cells, an important role in which iron plays. The drug "rejuvenated" the livers of mice sitting on an unhealthy diet. Analysis showed that the elderly mice had livers that were little different from healthy and young mice. The animals also had healthier hearts, kidneys and pancreas. This means that liver damage can make other organs worse.

"Our study shows that liver aging is at least partially reversible," the authors concluded.

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