Delaying effects getting older it was one of the goals of medical science. Branches like drug, Genet and biology They seek to answer questions such as why degenerative and chronic diseases occur more frequently over the years.
Scientists and students from School of Medicine from the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) focused on the mitochondrial mechanisms that influence aging.
The study group leads it Andres Caicedo, Research Professor at the USFQ School of Medicine, specialist in biomedicine and regenerative medicine.
Caicedo points out that his group is a pioneer in Latin America in the application mitochondrial therapy and so I can take the next step and investigate the reasons for the loss of energy of mitochondria, as a reason for aging and some disease.
In fact, only in Chile some progress has been made at the University of Los Andes in Santiago. They have progressed in the development of the system immunoregulatory, which is the act of transplanting mitochondria into immune system cells to induce cell regeneration.
But given the achievements of the USFQ group, the Chileans decided to join and work with Ecuadorians to detect mutations. mitochondrial gene and its relationship to aging.
In countries like the US and Germany an approach to mitochondria has been made for regenerative purposes, but they have not delved into it.
Caicedo says that as we all age, the problem is that our own cells can, in the process, promote the development of chronic and degenerative diseases, such as high blood pressure, arthritis …
The researchers found that a mitochondrial gene could be linked to maintaining health and longevity. Mitochondria are an organ of the cell, it is responsible for processing fats and carbohydrates to turn these components into energy, he says. Veronica Castañeda, engineer in biotechnological processes, expert in bioinformatics and cell cultureand a member of the research team. Summarize that mitochondria are the body’s power plant.
To reduce the likelihood of suffering from chronic and degenerative diseases, it is important to maintain a good level of cellular energy.
The pioneering project in Latin America look for changes in Mitochondrial DNA.
The main goal was to locate the genetic variants that help mitochondria to maintain adequate energy production. By doing so, the ones that work best can be distinguished and transplanted into damaged tissues for time. In this way, it is possible to rejuvenate their function, returning their properties.
The team found that there are human populations in China, Japan and Turkey who have more longevity. These people have variants of mitochondrial genes. USFQ researchers have identified a gene that repeats in members of these groups.
It has eight variants. So, it was decided to focus research on which of these changes allows to delay aging.
It has been established that three of the eight genetic possibilities can interact beneficially with the mitochondrial proteins around them.
The work developed by the USFQ team of researchers was accepted for presentation at the Congress of the International Society for Regenerative Cell Therapy, which will take place in New Orleans, USA, May 20, 2021. This is one of the most important scientific events in regenerative medicine in the world.
Another member of the group, Ivonne salinas details that the analyzed gene variants specifically interact with metabolism and the occurrence of degenerative and chronic diseases. This is especially important in Ecuador due to the prevalence of pathologies such as obesity and atherosclerosis.
Caicedo remembers that 10 years ago transplanting mitochondria into tissues seemed to be science fiction. At this time, this therapy is already being applied in the USFQ itself veterinary patients, to help them heal their various wounds.