Dru Reduces Aging of Cells - Connection to ME/CFS

[Cort]

We age, in part, because the adult stem cells in our tissues are surrounded by chemicals that prevent them from replacing damaged cells. One of these chemicals is TGF-beta1, known to depress stem cell activity. A new study shows that a drug that blocks TGF-beta1, which is now being tested for its anticancer properties, makes brain and muscle tissue more youthful. This is a step toward a drug cocktail that could rejuvenate aging tissue.

What is so interesting about this? TGF-beta is significantly increased in the immune cells of ME/CFS patients (and here - and here ). In fact it's one of the more consistently found cytokines in ME/CFS. No one's really known what to do with it thouugh.

"That one protein (TGF-B) when upregulated, ages multiple stem cells in distinct organs, such as the brain, pancreas, heart and muscle. "

Several factors associated with aging - including telomere length - in fact, have been found in ME/CFS. Could high levels of TGF-beta be playing a role?

Researchers at UC Berkeley found a molecule that blocks TGF-beta. Introducing it into the hippocampus of mice caused the mice to grow more nerve cells and perk up considerably. If TGF-B levels are causing issues in ME/CFS this new drug could be the antidoge. It's currently being tested in cancer/

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150513093609.htm