During one of their studies, American scientists accidentally clinically proved the first human rejuvenation in history.
Experts have made a discovery that has helped to understand what to influence in order to prolong the youth of the body and protect it from serious diseases.
For 12 months, male volunteers aged 51 to 60 took three drugs that led to the restoration of tissue in the thymus, an organ of the immune system also known as the thymus gland.
After this, scientists conducted control studies, which showed a rejuvenation of the body equivalent to 2.5 years, MK reports.
This was evident primarily in the blood test results. The volunteers showed a decrease in the number of senescent cells, an increase in the lymphocyte to monocyte ratio, and an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes.
The original goal of the experiment was to study the effect of growth hormone on the thymus, which degrades over the years, turning into fatty tissue.
After about age 63, the thymus gland undergoes major changes, making the body more vulnerable to diseases of aging, including cancer.
Previous studies have shown that thymus function is well preserved in people who live 80, 90 years and older.
Thus, preserving or restoring the properties of the thymus gland is one of the keys to rejuvenation and longevity, scientists believe.