Standford Researchers Pinpoint Skin Age-Reversal Gene
Stanford Researchers Pinpoint Skin Age-Reversal Gene
http://www.nbc11.com/health/14737889/detail.html
POSTED: 10:19 am PST November 30, 2007
Stanford researchers may have found the answer to stopping the signs of aging in our skin -- and it doesn't involve going under the knife.
In a study of mice, researchers found that blocking a specific gene in the skin reversed aging.
The findings suggest that wrinkling-skin may be caused, in part, by an active gene that doctors could possibly turn off.
Dr. Howard Chang of Stanford University School of Medicine said his team's findings could have broader effects.
"There's already evidence that blocking the same pathway could potentially improve muscle function; maybe improve certain diseases associated with aging. So I think those are more likely immediate application rather than true extension of life span," Chang said.
Human trials are still at least five years away. Dermatologists point out the majority of what we perceive as aging in skin actually comes from sun exposure.
