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Chronic Illness

A New Pathway to Slowing Pulmonary Fibrosis: Inhibiting Piezo2 Signaling

Researchers have found a potential new way to slow the progression of lung fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases by inhibiting the expression or function of Piezo2, a receptor that senses mechanical forces in tissues including stress, strain, and stiffness. The new study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary fibrotic diseases and identifies potential new targets and options for therapy to improve patients’ outcomes.

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The discovery of a novel pathway to slow the progression of pulmonary fibrosis has brought hope to patients suffering from this devastating disease. Researchers have found that inhibiting the expression or function of Piezo2, a receptor that senses mechanical forces in tissues, could be a potential new therapeutic route for treating lung fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.

Pulmonary fibrotic diseases are a group of conditions characterized by significant morbidity and sometimes mortality. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with a median survival of 2.9 years from diagnosis. Lung fibrosis results in dramatic mechanical changes, including increased stiffness in the tissue that cells can sense and respond to, making it difficult for the lungs to expand and contract properly during breathing.

The discovery of Piezo channels has garnered significant interest since Dr. Ardem Patapoutian was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2021. However, little has been published on their possible role in fibrotic lung diseases. Researchers have investigated the role of Piezo2 in pulmonary fibrosis using donor tissue from patients with IPF, mouse models of lung fibrosis, cell culture investigation of lung cells (fibroblasts) that create the fibrosis lesions, and by examining publicly available RNAseq datasets from other research groups.

The findings suggest that inhibiting expression or function of Piezo2 could be a potential new therapeutic route to treating lung fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases. This is especially important as there is an unmet need for additional therapies for fibrotic diseases. Despite the introduction of nintedanib and pirfenidone for therapy of some fibrotic lung diseases, pulmonary fibrosis can remain challenging to effectively treat.

The researchers believe that blocking Piezo2 signaling to prevent fibroblast reprogramming represents a new pathway they can target in their fight against fibrosis. This research identifies mechanical forces and a specific target (Piezo2) that can be blocked to prevent fibrotic reprogramming of some lung cells. They conclude that this points to Piezo2 as an important new therapeutic target that might slow the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in patients.

This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate development and increase interest from pharmaceutical partners, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients suffering from fibrotic diseases.

Alternative Medicine

“The Power of Movement: How Regular Exercise Can Add Years to Your Life”

Adopting a physically active lifestyle at any stage of adulthood significantly lowers your risk of dying from any cause, especially from cardiovascular disease. A sweeping analysis of 85 studies confirms that those who stay active consistently reduce their mortality risk by 30–40%, while even those who become active later in life enjoy a 20–25% reduction.

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The British Journal of Sports Medicine has published a study that finds being consistently physically active in adulthood is linked to a 30-40% lower risk of death from any cause in later life. This means that even if you haven’t been active throughout your life, it’s never too late to start moving more and reap the benefits. In fact, switching to a more active lifestyle at any point in adult life may extend your lifespan.

The study analyzed data from 85 studies that measured physical activity at two or more points in time. The results showed that consistently active people had around a 30-40% lower risk of dying from any cause, while those who increased their levels of physical activity from below the recommended levels had a 20-25% lower risk of death from any cause.

The researchers also found that generally, the associations observed between a high level of physical activity and a lower risk of death were more evident for cardiovascular disease than for cancer. However, the evidence for the associations between physical activity patterns and death from a specific cause remained inconclusive, especially for death from cancer.

Despite these limitations, the study’s findings have important public health implications. The researchers emphasize the importance of sustained physical activity over time and suggest that future interventions may not only target inactive people but also support active people to maintain their activity.

In conclusion, this study highlights the power of movement in adding years to your life. Whether you’re 20 or 60, it’s never too late to start exercising regularly and reap the benefits for your overall health and well-being. So, get moving and make physical activity a priority in your life!

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Animals

The Lemur Secret to Aging without Inflammation: A Breakthrough for Human Health?

What if humans didn’t have to suffer the slow-burning fire of chronic inflammation as we age? A surprising study on two types of lemurs found no evidence of “inflammaging,” a phenomenon long assumed to be universal among primates. These findings suggest that age-related inflammation isn’t inevitable and that environmental factors could play a far bigger role than we thought. By peering into the biology of our primate cousins, researchers are opening up new possibilities for preventing aging-related diseases in humans.

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The study of lemurs has long fascinated scientists, and a recent research breakthrough by biological anthropologist Elaine Guevara is shedding new light on the primate’s remarkable ability to age without inflammation. This phenomenon, known as “inflammaging,” is a widespread issue in humans, leading to health problems such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Guevara’s research focused on ring-tailed and sifaka lemurs, two species that differ in their life pacing and lifespan. By studying these primates, Guevara aimed to understand why they avoid the inevitability of inflammaging observed in humans. Her findings were surprising: neither species showed age-related changes in markers of oxidative stress or inflammation. In fact, ring-tailed lemurs even exhibited marginal declines in inflammation with age.

This discovery, consistent with recent studies on other non-human primates, suggests that inflamaging is not a universal feature of primates, and perhaps not even a universal feature of humans. Christine Drea, a professor of evolutionary anthropology who worked alongside Guevara, notes that this study points to differences in aging between humans and lemurs.

As we grow older, low-grade chronic inflammation sets in, causing a range of health problems. Understanding why inflamaging increases with age in humans, what causes it, and how it can be prevented is critical information for unlocking ways to help humans live longer and healthier lives. Guevara’s study serves as the first step in unraveling these questions.

The next step for Guevara and her team is to conduct similar research on lemurs in their natural habitat. This will provide valuable insights into how aging can differ between captivity and the wild, and whether inflamaging is intrinsic or environmental.

With a rapidly aging global population, these findings are essential for mitigating disability and improving quality of life in later years. Guevara’s breakthrough study offers new hope that we may be able to learn from lemurs’ remarkable ability to age without inflammation, leading to better health outcomes for humans worldwide.

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Chronic Illness

The Surprising Link Between Hearing Loss, Loneliness, and Lifespan

People who treat hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants regain rich conversations, escape isolation, and may even protect their brains and lifespans—proof that better hearing translates into fuller living.

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A groundbreaking new study has shed light on the surprising link between hearing loss, loneliness, and lifespan. Researchers from the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery found that adults with hearing loss who used hearing aids or cochlear implants were more socially engaged and felt less isolated compared to those who didn’t use them.

The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, is the first to link hearing aids and cochlear implants to improved social lives among adults with hearing loss. The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 65 previously published studies, encompassing over five thousand participants, on how hearing aids and cochlear implants affect three key measures: social quality of life, perceived social handicap, and loneliness.

The findings suggest that hearing devices can help prevent the social disconnection and broader health consequences that can follow untreated hearing loss. When left unaddressed, hearing loss can make communication difficult, leading people to withdraw from conversations and social activities. This can lead to mental stimulation reduction, increased risk of loneliness, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and dementia.

The researchers found that adults using hearing devices feel more socially connected and less limited in social situations. They are better able to engage in group conversations and feel more at ease in noisy or challenging listening environments. Participants also reported feeling less socially handicapped by their hearing loss, with fewer barriers and frustrations during interactions and an improved ability to stay engaged without feeling excluded.

Those with cochlear implants reported the most improvement in their social quality of life, likely because cochlear implants offer greater hearing restoration than hearing aids, especially for individuals with more severe hearing loss. As a result, they may experience more noticeable improvements in social engagement once their hearing is restored.

While it was outside the scope of the study to measure how better social lives relate to improved cognitive outcomes, the researchers believe there may be a connection. Previous research has found managing hearing loss may be key to reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study’s lead researcher, Janet Choi, MD, MPH, an otolaryngologist with Keck Medicine, believes that by restoring clearer communication, hearing devices may help preserve cognitive health by keeping the brain more actively involved and people more connected.

This research follows a January 2024 study by Choi showing that adults with hearing loss who use hearing aids have an almost 25% lower risk of mortality, suggesting that treating hearing loss can improve lifespan as well as social quality of life. These findings add to a growing body of research showing that hearing health is deeply connected to overall well-being.

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