Scientists at Imperial College discovered that switching off a protein called Interleukin 11 not only boosted lung health, muscle function, improved metabolism, prevented cancer in middle aged mice but also hair loss and hair greying.
Evidence showed that after treatment with the drug, mice who had greying patches of hair on their fur, hair loss and weight gain were energetic with thick glossy fur that was not grey. These treated mice also lived 25% longer.
Professor Cook, from the medical Research Council Lab of Medical Science at Imperial stated that these findings were exciting. Although these findings were in mice, it raises the possibility that this drug could have a similar effect in elderly humans. The treated mice had better lungs, they had better skin, glossy fur, improved hair, better hearing and better vision.
The aim is that one day, anti-interleukin 11 therapy could be used as widely as possible so that people can lead healthier lives for longer.