In a groundbreaking study, a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences claims that the turning point when the of the body suddenly accelerates occurs around the age of 50.
By examining changes in proteins within the bodies of individuals of varying , researchers discovered that at the threshold of 50, tissues and organs age more rapidly and significantly than in previous decades. Notably, veins show the fastest signs of wear.
“Based on the changes in proteins associated with aging, we developed a specific biological clock and described the aging trajectories at the organ level. Our temporal analysis revealed a turning point in aging—around 50 years. Blood vessels are particularly prone to early aging,” the team stated in their report.
“Our findings lay the groundwork for a systematic understanding of human aging through the lens of proteins,” the scientists added.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
Science still does not fully understand the patterns of aging in individual organs. Therefore, the researchers turned to studying how proteins in various tissues change over time. They collected tissue samples from 76 organ donors aged 14 to 68 who died from accidental traumatic brain injuries.
The samples encompassed seven body systems: (heart and aorta), digestive (liver, pancreas, and intestines), (spleen and lymph nodes), endocrine (adrenal glands and white adipose tissue), respiratory (lungs), integumentary (skin), and musculoskeletal (muscles). The researchers also examined blood samples.
The team compiled a catalog of proteins identified in these systems, meticulously tracking their changes as the donors aged. By comparing their results with a database of diseases and related genes, the researchers found that the expression of 48 proteins correlated with diseases increased with age.
This primarily concerns cardiovascular diseases, tissue fibrosis, fatty liver disease, and liver tumors.
As the scientists noted, the most pronounced changes occur between the ages of 45 and 55. During this period, many tissues undergo significant proteomic remodeling (related to changes in proteins). The most notable changes are observed in the aorta, indicating its high susceptibility to aging. The pancreas and spleen also show significant changes, as reported by Science Alert.
To validate their findings, the researchers isolated an aging-related protein from the aorta of older mice and introduced it to younger mice. The treated rodents exhibited decreased physical performance, grip strength, endurance, as well as impaired balance and coordination compared to those that did not receive the protein. They also displayed pronounced markers of vascular aging.
Why Is This Work Important?
Previous studies by other scientists identified two additional peaks of aging: around 44 years and around 60 years. The new findings suggest that human aging is a complex, staged process that affects various systems of the body. Understanding how aging impacts specific body parts at certain periods can aid in developing medical interventions that ease this process.
“Our research aims to create a comprehensive proteomic atlas that encompasses the entire aging process over 50 years; it will help identify the mechanisms underlying proteostasis imbalance in aging organs and reveal universal and tissue-specific aging patterns,” the researchers noted.
“This knowledge will assist in developing targeted strategies to combat aging and age-related diseases, paving the way for improved health in older adults,” they added.
The study’s results were published in the journal Cell.
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