By Tom Chivers
Published: 9:26AM BST 07 Oct 2009
A new study by scientists at Graz University found that spermidine, a compound that is found in sperm, slows ageing processes and increases longevity in yeast, flies, worms and mice, as well as human blood cells, by protecting cells from damage.
Cell ageing happens when a natural process called autophagy – a sort of cellular cannibalism whereby damaged cells or parts of cells are recycled – goes wrong.
Spermidine concentration has been shown to decline with age.
Adding spermidine suppressed various processes associated with ageing, as well as reducing free radicals and increasing lifespan. Treated fruit flies lived 30 per cent longer than untreated ones, while worms lived 15 per cent longer.
While one researcher, Tobias Eisenberg, has been quoted as saying that this is the “holy grail of age research”, and a British newspaper has prophesied the coming of a “wonder pill that could extend lifespan by up to 25 years”, the truth is that human trials, let alone treatment, are a very long way off.
In an article titled “Key to a long life found (again)”, the patient information website NHS Choices points out that while this is an exciting area for future research, it will take many more years of study including lab tests and further animal trials before it can be safely tested on humans.
