Hector Warnes’ response 3 to Joseph Knoll’s response 2
 
Joseph Knoll: The Discovery of the Enhancer Regulation in the Mammalian Brain and the Development of the Synthetic Enhancer Substances

Professor Knoll has been passionately devoted over fifty years to his research on Deprenyl and several of its synthetic derivatives.  For the last one, BPAP, after meticulous research on rats, Professor Knoll stated that it significantly prolonged the rat’s life.  BPAP is a Deprenyl analog which acts by centrally stimulating the catecholaminergic neurons, therefore acting like a synthetic enhancer substance.

The more I read Professor Knoll the more I understand his life-long search for enhancers which boost dopamine levels.  Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is involved in movement, coordination, sex drive, pleasure and cognition.  It also has neuroprotective properties and increases the level of endogenous antioxidants.

Deprenyl, by blocking the MAO-B, prevents the breakdown of dopamine and phenylethylamine.  A disruption of neurotransmitter synthesis is central in many pathologies including Parkinson’s disease, depression, neurodegenerative disorders and so on.

I am aware of several research lines on the telomere which are the “caps" of the chromosomes and are vital for the cell integrity and length stabilization.  Its shortening is a signal of progressive ageing or can also point to several pathological states. An enzyme, the telomerase helps to preserve the telomere length.  In 2008 N. V. Osipov published an abstract of an original research paper published in Russian. Using Wistar rats and “a newly developed pharmacological method” (not named), Osipov demonstrated with that while rats from the control group died at the age of 1 year 7 months - 1 year 8 months, rats from the experimental group died at the age of 2 years 4 months.  Osipov also used the Morris’s labyrinth water test and measured the telomere’s length stabilization.  Perhaps Professor Knoll knows if Osipov used an analog of Deprenyl in his research.

There have been other substances tested for their potential to prolong the span of life. The include: melatonin which improves sleep, is anti-stress and upregulates the immune system; fullerene, an extract of olive oil containing phenotic antioxidants; myricetin, a natural flavonol; and ghrelin which was shown to prolong life in the mouse. The latter is secreted by the stomach in response to fasting. Low caloric diet has also been shown to prolong life.  

REFERENCE:

Osipov N.V.  [Telomere elongation and prolongation of lifespan in rats by unblocking of telomere caps]. Lik Sprava. 2008 Apr-Jun;(3-4):110-2.

April 26, 2018