Monthly Archives: February 2014

The molecule is thought to activate proteins involved in metabolism and inflammation

Scientists have known for decades how to make yeast, mice and other organisms live longer: give them less food. Credit: Aaron Logan/Wikimedia Commons

A synthetic chemical that may mimic the effects of eating a low-calorie diet extends life span in mice, a new study has found. Previous research showed that mice on a high-fat diet lived longer when given this compound, known as SRT1720; the new work shows that mice on a standard diet also benefit from it. This study is just the latest in an extensive effort to find compounds that may help slow aging and aging-related diseases.

Scientists have known for decades how to make yeast, mice and other organisms live longer: give them less food. Although this might sound paradoxical, it is well established that severely restricting the caloric intake of many lab-raised animals, as long as their essential nutritional needs are met, significantly increases their life span.

But whereas calorie restriction may work for lab mice, it is unlikely to be widely embraced by more than a select few humans. And although there is clear evidence that calorie restriction does prolong the lives of some lab animals, when it comes to nonhuman primates, there are only two long-term studies on the subject. One study by a group at the University of Wisconsin found that calorie restriction increased life span and reduced the occurrence of various diseases in rhesus monkeys. In contrast, the other study, by the National Institute of Healths National Institute on Aging, did not show improved survival of calorie-restricted rhesus monkeys, although they did have lower rates of cancer.

Despite these mixed results, scientists have been ramping up their efforts to find and test what they call calorie restriction mimetics: chemicals that can mimic the life-lengthening effects of calorie restriction by activating the same cellular pathways that low-cal diets activatebut without cutting calories. Although the exact mechanism linking calorie restriction and longevity is still a matter of debate among scientists, research efforts have narrowed the possibilities.

The pathway that has received the most attention involves the activation of proteins called sirtuins. These proteins are involved in a wide variety of processes, most notably metabolism and inflammation. Mice genetically modified to produce higher levels of these proteins were protected from diseases such as diabetes. And certain chemicals thought to activate sirtuins have been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and inflammation in mice.

A number of studies have looked at the sirtuin-activating capabilities of the naturally occurring compound resveratrol. The chemical, which is present in red wine, gained widespread attention when scientists showed that it boosts the life span of yeast, and a 2006 study found that obese mice also lived significantly longer when given resveratrol. Unfortunately, red wine likely does not contain sufficient levels of the chemical to have a measurable impact on human life spans, and studies of resveratrol supplements given to humans have shown varied results. Some scientists have also questioned whether resveratrol can actually directly activate sirtuins.

Recently, scientists have been testing synthetic chemicals that activate sirtuins much more efficiently than resveratrol, including SRT1720. The newest study, published in the February 27 Cell Reports, found that SR1720 extended the life span of mice on a standard diet by about 9 percent. They also confirmed their earlier work indicating that the compound extends the life span of mice fed a high-fat diet.

I think the data in the paper is compelling, says sirtuin researcher Leonard Guarente of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who is not a co-author of the study, although he is a consultant for a company involved in the research. He acknowledges it is impossible to say for sure that SRT1720 is activating sirtuins and nothing else. But that qualification would hold for really any pharmacological intervention, he observes.

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Compound That May Mimic Calorie Restriction Extends Life Span in Mice

When someone is calling to apply for a health plan under the Affordable Care Act -- often called ObamaCare -- chances are a Maximus employee may answer the phone.

In addition, the contact center representative will also input and digitize the application, request any missing info, verify eligibility, help choose the plan and notify the managed care plan of the selection.

This is only a portion of the services that the Reston, Va.-based firm provides to states and governments worldwide.Maximus ( MMS ) also runs comprehensive services for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, helps consumers access long-term care, assists students in managing their loans, and aids people on welfare in joining and remaining in the workforce.

However controversial the topic of U.S. federal spending and ObamaCare may be now, it represents a portion of business for Maximus, which has a long and broad history in getting work done with programs that many governments implement.

The company currently operates 300 offices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and Saudi Arabia. It employs 11,000 people, striving to provide localized services in developed countries with a favorable regulatory environment.

"Our mission statement is helping governments serve the people," said Maximus CEO Rich Montoni. "Unlike many of our competitors, we've done this for nearly 40 years. It's been our sole focus and I really think it differentiates us in the marketplace."

When Maximus manages a program for a government or state, it is the first point of contact as people apply for benefits. Its business units are health care and human services. Health care includes services for federal or state health plans. Human services helps the unemployed find and keep jobs. Such programs are underway in the U.K. and Australia, with a pilot program in the U.S .

Capitalizing On Government

In fiscal 2013, the company booked $1.3 billion in revenue, of which 65% was from health services and 35% from human services. Three-quarters of the revenue came from the U.S., with the rest generated internationally. Maximus expects total revenue of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion in fiscal 2014.

Besides its two federal health insurance marketplace call centers, Maximus counts the most contracts of firms providing services to state health insurance exchanges. It manages those programs in eight states and the District of Columbia.

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Maximus Makes Money On ObamaCare, Government Spending