by University of Tsukuba – ScienceDaily –
Scientists discovered that a blood molecule called CtBP2 may play a major role in how we age. It helps regulate metabolism and appears to link aging across the entire body. Lower levels are tied to poor health and faster aging, while higher levels are found in longer-living people. The finding could lead to simple blood tests that reveal how healthy or “young” your body really is.
A research team at the University of Tsukuba turned its attention to a molecule called CtBP2 while studying the biological links between obesity and metabolism. CtBP2 acts as a sensor that responds to metabolic changes, and earlier research had shown that its activity declines in people with obesity, which can contribute to metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, stimulating or activating CtBP2 has been shown to produce therapeutic effects that improve metabolism.
