This vitamin may help repair damaged DNA, reverse ageing process

Sydney: Researchers have identified a vitamin that may help in repairing damaged DNA and reverse ageing process, fight cancer as well as help in space travel.

The findings have identified how a vitamin called NAD+, naturally present in every cell of our body -- was regulating the interactions that control DNA repair.

Treating mice with a NAD+ precursor, or "booster", called NMN improved their cells' ability to repair DNA damage caused by radiation exposure or old age.

The lead author David Sinclair, who is a professor at University of New South Wales in Australia,"The cells of the old mice were indistinguishable from the young mice, after just one week of treatment".

The study may lead to drugs to treat cancer, Alzheimer's, protect astronauts from radiation during their various missions to space, as well as mitigate any effects of DNA damage for frequent flyers, the researchers said.

In addition, scientists have established that NAD+ could be useful for treating various diseases of ageing, female infertility and also treating side effects of chemotherapy.

Human trials of NMN therapy will begin within six months.

Sinclair added, "This is the closest we are to a safe and effective anti-ageing drug that's perhaps only three to five years away from being on the market if the trials go well".

The study was published in the journal Science.

(With IANS inputs)