New cell treatment could help us live a THIRD longer: Life expectancy could leap to 108 with controversial cell rejuvenation technique

The technique involves reprogramming cells to act like young cells[CN]

这项技术包括重组细胞，使它们像年轻细胞一样活动。

Cells are only induced to reprogram for short periods of time[CN]

细胞的重组只有短短的时间。

This prevents the cells reproducing too fast and becoming a cancer[CN]

这个进程阻止细胞过快再生，变成癌症。

So far, the technique has been tested in skin cells in a dish and mice, but researchers say it could be 10 years until it is tested in humans 
[CN]

目前，这项技术已在培养皿和老鼠皮肤细胞试验，研究者说至少过10年才能在人身上试验。

The technique involves reprogramming cells, which the researchers say could help people live nearly a third longer, without the blemishes of age such as wrinkled skin, grey hair and aches and pains (stock image)[CN]

这项技术包括重编细胞，研究者说，可以帮助人们延长1/3的性命。不会出现皮肤皱缩，头发灰白，疼痛不断等症状。

Multiple ageing signs were reversed, without losing the skin cell identity. Pictured left are the skin cells before, and right, after the technique was used[CN]

多种老化迹象逆转了，也没改变皮肤细胞的原样。左图为重编前的细胞，右图为使用技术后的细胞图。

The final test involved trying the method on normal aged mice. When it was used for a short period, the pancreas and muscles showed improved regeneration. Pictured left are muscle cells before the technique was usedfactors were induced, and right, after[CN]

最后的测试在正常年龄的老鼠身上做实验。短期内使用，胰腺和肌肉都出现一定程度的重生。左图为未做技术处理前的肌肉细胞。技术使用后如右图。

While these are promising results, researchers say that these therapies may take up to 10 years to reach clinical trials in humans (stock image)[CN]

尽管这些结果已经卓有成效，研究者还是声明这些治疗方法还要花上10年才能在人类的诊所里使用（文件图片）

A treatment that could turn back the ravages of time is edging closer as scientists have discovered how to ‘reprogram’ cells to stop them growing old.[CN]

这种返老还童的治疗方式已近在咫尺，科学家已经发现如何重组细胞以防细胞变老。

The process involves taking skin cells and making them partly revert to how they were in the embryo.

Mature mice that underwent the process were found to appear younger, had better functioning hearts and lived 30 per cent longer.

Translated to humans it would mean - potentially, at least - the average human lifespan would reach 108.

Although women tend to outlive men, the average life expectancy in currently 81 in the UK, and 78 in the US. 

Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, author of the study, said: ‘Our study shows that aging may not have to proceed in one single direction. 

'It has plasticity and, with careful modulation, aging might be reversed.’

Professor Belmonte, of the Salk Institute in California, explained that the cell is reprogrammed by altering genetic factors that change it to become like a stem cell – ‘universal’ cells present in the embryo that can transform into any cell in the body.

Alejandro Ocampo, first author of the paper, said: ‘What we and other stem-cell labs have observed is that when you induce cellular reprogramming, cells look younger.

‘The next question was whether we could induce this rejuvenation process in a live animal.’

Converting large numbers of the body’s cells back into stem cells could lead to organ failure or death, the authors said.

The team used DNA reprogramming methods in live mice with progeria, the premature ageing disease progeria, which also affects humans.

Compared to untreated mice, the reprogrammed mice looked younger.

Their cardiovascular and other organ function improved and - most surprising of all - they lived 30 percent longer, yet did not develop cancer.

The process also worked in normal, disease-free mice which experienced improvement in the regeneration capacity of the pancreas and muscle tissue.

Professor Belmonte said: ‘Obviously, mice are not humans and we know it will be much more complex to rejuvenate a person.

‘But this study shows that ageing is a very dynamic and plastic process, and therefore will be more amenable to therapeutic interventions than what we previously thought.’

He said it could be 10 years before a clinical trial is ready to take place in humans.