Researchers identify key enzyme in aging cells to promote healthy aging

A team has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of aging and inflammation. Japan’s aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate, making it crucial to extend healthy lifespans rather than just lifespans. The research focuses on ‘cellular senescence,’ a process where cells stop dividing and enter a state associated with chronic inflammation and aging. This cellular state, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), involves the secretion of inflammatory proteins that accelerate aging and disease, such as dementia, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.