NEW YORK, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. biologists say they have created a method that, for the first time, can prevent the buildup of damaged protein in a human organ.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers said their work, which focused on the liver, might be able to correct the decline in organ function associated with old age.
As people age, their cells become less efficient at getting rid of damaged protein, resulting in a buildup of toxic material that is especially pronounced in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, the researchers said.
"Our study showed that functions can be maintained in older animals so long as damaged proteins continue to be efficiently removed -- strongly supporting the idea that protein buildup in cells plays an important role in aging itself," said Associate Professor Ana Maria Cuervo, who led the research. "Even more important, these results show that it's possible to correct this protein 'logjam' that occurs in our cells as we get older, thereby perhaps helping us to enjoy healthier lives well into old age."
The study that included graduate student Cong Zhang appears in the journal Nature Medicine.
