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| 'Fountain Of Youth': New Hormone Prolongs Lifespan, Decreases Negative Effects Of Aging In Mice
By Tyler MacDonald - Headlines & Global News Are we one step closer to developing compounds that can extend our lifespan? Although the "fountain of youth" may still be a legend, scientists from the Yale School of Medicine have discovered a hormone called FGF21, which is produced by specialized cells in the thymus gland, that can prolong the lifespan of mice by 40%. Furthermore, the team also found that increasing levels of this unique hormone can minimize the loss of immune function that typically comes with the aging process. The findings may open up doors for scientists to better understand the loss of immune function in the elderly and the treatment of illnesses such as cancer and type-2 diabetes. Although the thymus typically produces T cells for the body's immune system, as we age its fat percentage increases and it loses its ability to create new T cells. This is one of the reasons that a decrease in T cells can led to increased risk of infections and cancers as we age. The team