Researchers from Texas A&M University found that specialized nanoparticles, termed “nanoflowers,” can boost the number of mitochondria in human cells, effectively “recharging” them, which opens prospects for treating age-related ailments. This is reported by “Gazeta.ru” citing PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
With advancing age, the quantity and efficiency of mitochondria—the cell’s “powerhouses”—diminish, increasing the risk of pathologies affecting the heart, brain, and other organs. During the study, scientists utilized molybdenum disulfide “nanoflower” nanoparticles, whose porous structure absorbs aggressive reactive oxygen species. This oxidative stress neutralization process stimulated genes within human stem cells responsible for heightened mitochondrial production.
The study’s author, bioengineer Akhilesh Gaharwar, clarified that the crucial breakthrough was the capacity of stem cells “recharged” by the nanoparticles to share their mitochondria with adjacent damaged or aging cells. This mechanism functions like a “battery replacement,” restoring cellular energy without employing pharmaceuticals or genetic modifications.
In laboratory testing, the amount of transferred mitochondria doubled, and the population of cardiac smooth muscle cells increased three to fourfold. Cells damaged by chemotherapy showed a significant rise in survival rates. Scientists believe this method in the future could be utilized for therapies across various tissues, including treating cardiovascular conditions and muscular dystrophy.
The investigators emphasize that the technology remains in its initial development phase. The subsequent stage will involve trials on animal models to assess safety, determine appropriate dosages, and investigate long-term consequences. Nevertheless, the researchers posit that augmenting the natural mechanism of mitochondrial exchange between cells could form the basis for future methods designed to slow or partially reverse cellular aging processes.
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