Scientists have extended the life of worms 6 times

Mutations caused by the scientists in the USA extended their lives to the equivalent of 500 human years of life. Estimates: the findings can also be relevant to humans

Small worms of the "Synorhabditis elegans" variety, can extend their lifespan six times, if changes are made in a number of genes and hormones. The changes are the suppression of the worms' metabolism hormone, and the removal of their reproductive system. After making the changes in the worms, they continued to live a time equal to 500 years of human life. This is the longest lifespan ever achieved by scientists. The scientists claim that some of the findings may also be true for mammals, including humans.

Scientists from the University of California (UCLA) have found that they can double the lifespan of worms, if they carry out a mutation that prevents the action of insulin in their body. Insulin is a metabolic hormone, which helps the body's metabolism, and regulates the energy the body receives from glucose molecules (fruit sugar). The BBC reported that the researchers also discovered that a more hermetic prevention of insulin regulation further extends the life span of the worms, but in a quiet and motionless state, sleepy and lazy.

The removal of the reproductive system of the worms was also given far-reaching significance in the study - the lifespan of the worms increased by about 60% on average. According to the researchers, the extension of life expectancy in such a case did not occur because of infertility, but due to a hormonal change that accompanied the process.

It was a combination of changing the insulin system of the worms with the removal of their reproductive system that resulted in a sixfold extension of life span. "In human terms, these worms are equivalent to 500-year-olds who are active and in good health," said Dr. Arantes Oliveira, who conducted the research. "All of this indicates that extreme longevity is not necessarily related to a lack of activity."

Dr. Oliveira added that "the extended life span of the worms, which is the longest life span ever achieved by a living creature, is particularly significant, because insulin controls the lifestyle of many animals, including mammals."