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Posted on 05/08/2025 9:01:08 AM PDT by Red Badger
In a nutshell
* Mice treated with Klotho protein lived up to 20% longer than untreated mice, which would be like extending human life from 80 to 96 years
* The treatment improved multiple systems simultaneously—preserving muscle strength, bone density, and brain function well into old age
* This approach targets fundamental aging processes rather than treating individual diseases, suggesting a potential shift in how we might address human aging in the future
*************************************************************************
BARCELONA — Many scientists have long sought to discover the so-called “fountain of youth” remedy that can help humans live longer, healthier lives into old age. Spanish researchers may be onto just that after finding a protein that, after just one treatment, keeps aging mice from the typical wear-and-tear their bodies normally experience, while significantly extending their lifespans.
Led by researchers at the University of Barcelona, the study shows how mice injected with a protein called Klotho lived almost 20% longer than their untreated peers. Beyond just extending life, these mice maintained better muscle strength, bone density, and brain function well into old age—essentially slowing multiple aspects of aging simultaneously.
The international team found that this protein acts like a master regulator of various aging processes throughout the body. Their findings, published in Molecular Therapy, demonstrate how a single Klotho treatment could potentially address numerous age-related declines at once.
This discovery could eventually lead to new therapies targeting multiple aspects of aging simultaneously, rather than treating individual age-related conditions separately.
The Anti-Aging Effects Of Klotho
The research team used gene therapy to deliver Klotho, also called s-KL, to mice at either 6 months (equivalent to human young adulthood) or 12 months of age (equivalent to middle age).
They employed a delivery system using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)—a harmless virus modified to carry genetic material into cells. This allowed mice to continue producing the protein long-term after just one treatment.
Since the protein doesn’t easily cross from blood into brain tissue, scientists administered it through both blood vessels and direct injection into the brain. This dual approach ensured the protein reached all key tissues affected by aging.
Remarkable Results Across Multiple Systems
Male mice treated with s-KL at 12 months lived an average of 31.5 months compared to control mice that typically lived about 26.3 months. For perspective, that’s like extending human life from 80 years to 96 years.
But longevity is only part of the story. The researchers put 24-month-old mice (equivalent to about 70 human years) through various physical tests to assess their fitness and found significant improvements in the treated animals.
Mice receiving s-KL showed better coordination in rotarod tests (think of a mouse treadmill), increased endurance in hanging from horizontal bars, and improved grip strength compared to untreated mice of the same age. These improvements were particularly pronounced in mice treated at 12 months of age.
Examination of muscle tissue revealed that treated mice had much less scarring (fibrosis) and maintained larger muscle fibers. When muscles from these older mice were transplanted into young recipients, they showed remarkably better regenerative capacity—with more active stem cells ready to repair damage.
Bone structure also improved with Klotho treatment. Female mice showed greater bone volume and better internal bone architecture, indicating protection against osteoporosis. Gene analysis revealed increased expression of bone-building genes in treated mice.
Brain analysis revealed perhaps the most intriguing results. Mice receiving Klotho showed more signs of neurogenesis—the formation of new neurons—in the hippocampus, a crucial area for learning and memory.
Their brain cells maintained better energy production and showed enhanced “cleanup” functions that normally decline with age. The treatment also promoted a balanced immune response in the brain: more cellular debris removal with less harmful inflammation.
Anti-Aging Efforts In Humans
The study confirms what many scientists have long suspected – that targeting the fundamental processes of aging itself may be more effective than treating individual age-related diseases. By maintaining the body’s natural repair and maintenance systems, s-KL appears to delay multiple aspects of aging simultaneously — just like the “fountain of youth” treatment that’s many have dreamed of receiving.
Of course, while these results are exciting, there’s quite a long way to go, especially since the research was only conducted on mice. Human trials would be necessary before similar treatments could be developed for people. Additionally, the researchers observed different effects in male and female mice, with females showing more pronounced improvements in some parameters but less consistent longevity results due to unrelated health issues.
Nevertheless, the Klotho research provides a significant step forward in understanding how we might one day intervene in the aging process itself, potentially extending not just how long we live, but how well we live in our later years. The prospect of a single treatment that could simultaneously address multiple aspects of aging – from muscle and bone health to cognitive function – is one that will certainly bring hope and excitement to healthcare providers and patients alike.
Paper Summary
Methodology
Researchers created three groups of mice: one treated at 6 months with a control vector (null 6 MO), another treated at 6 months with s-KL (s-KL 6 MO), and a third treated at 12 months with s-KL (s-KL 12 MO). They used adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) to deliver genes coding for either s-KL or a non-functional control into mice through both intravenous and intracerebroventricular injections. Mice were monitored until natural death to measure lifespan, with some euthanized at 24 months to study aging biomarkers. The team conducted physical tests including rotarod, horizontal bar, and grip strength assessments. They analyzed muscle tissue for fibrosis and regenerative capacity, examined bone microstructure using micro-CT imaging, and performed detailed analysis of brain tissue, including transcriptomic profiling of the hippocampus.
Results
Male mice treated with s-KL at 12 months showed a 19.7% increase in total lifespan compared to controls. Both sexes showed improved physical performance on various tests, particularly those treated at 12 months. Muscles from s-KL-treated mice showed less fibrosis and improved regenerative capacity, with higher numbers of satellite cells (muscle stem cells) and myogenic precursors. Female mice showed improved trabecular bone parameters and increased expression of bone-forming genes. Brain tissue analysis revealed increased markers of adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, along with more microglia and astrocytes. Transcriptomic analysis showed that s-KL treatment prevented typical age-related decreases in energy metabolism while increasing clearance mechanisms and balancing immune responses.
Limitations
The study was limited to mice, so results may not directly translate to humans. Female mice developed unrelated health problems (ulcerative dermatitis and anal bleeding) that prevented complete lifespan analysis in this sex. The dual injection approach used would be challenging to implement clinically. Sample sizes for some analyses were small (n=3-4 for some histological assessments). The researchers suggest future studies could use improved AAV vectors that cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively to avoid direct brain injections.
Funding/Disclosures
The work was funded by grants from MICINN/AEI, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, and Generalitat de Catalunya. Several authors disclosed that portions of the work are subject to patent applications held by Spanish institutions including Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad de Barcelona, ICREA, and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research. One author serves as a scientific advisor for ANEW medical, a company developing Klotho-boosting therapeutics.
Publication Information
“Long-term effects of s-KL treatment in wild-type mice: Enhancing longevity, physical well-being, and neurological resilience” was published in Molecular Therapy (Vol. 33, No. 4, April 2025). The research was conducted by a team led by Miguel Chillón from the Institut de Neurociènces at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, with collaborators from multiple Spanish institutions and partners in the United States.
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Q. What are we going to do tonight, Brain?
A. The same thing we try to do every noght Pinky —TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!
In a thousand years, we will have created Super Mice.................
Gee, what could go wrong?
Mice aren't people.
from amazon customer
” Discovered in the 1990s, research indicates that klotho proteins may strengthen cognitive functions: with elevated klotho levels linked to prolonged lifespan and enhanced brain health. “
(link is to amazon product for klotho
mice will be using US for medical experiments
There won’t be any ‘US’, mice will inherit the Earth..............
The dual injection approach used would be challenging to implement clinically. -- "Don't move. This brain injection won't hurt a bit."
Sample sizes for some analyses were small (n=3-4 for some histological assessments). -- If n=3-4 was good enough for COVID, it's good enough for the Fountain of Youth.
Thanks, I’ll quit feeding protein to the rats.
Of course this will never be made available to the public. 🙄
And it grows in my field here in Florida. Wanna buy it before demand skyrockets?
I’d love to extend my cat’s life. Smartest kitty girl in the world. And my daughter’s four dogs should live long and thrive too.
“And it grows in my field here in Florida. “
What’s the name of the plant? My gardener friends could plant it.
Interesting... Wiki suggests that there has been some limited primate testing and that this does translate up from mice, although the novel part of this approach is using a benign virus as a delivery vector.
They are also experimenting with LPN (lipids, fats) as a membrane soluable delivery system.
The interesting part for me is the novel recoding of the affected gene sequence to turn klotho production on.
Not just an anti-aging treatment... this also has implications for kidney disease and geriatric cognitive impairment.
Color me intrigued.
I think, therefore I need steak. Or bacon, I guess.
Bacon!
Yea, baby!
Every 5 years or so, an interview will happen with a lady turning 100 years old. In so many of the interviews, when asked about their longevity, the lady will say: "Every morning, I have bacon."
Then there is this 105 year old woman on Johnny Carson
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SyY9AL7LEJo
Cool, they named it from Greek mythology.
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