Blood markers linked to lifespan appear in both dogs and people, study shows

Aging’s molecular imprint

According to НВ — Техно: Blood markers involved in metabolism turn out to be closely comparable in dogs and humans, and these markers can reveal how fast the body is aging and how long it may live. To reach that conclusion, the research group analyzed blood samples from pet dogs and compared them with data from five large-scale human studies. The result was a set of shared biomarkers that can help predict earlier or later mortality in both species.

Biomarkers present in both species

Researchers found these markers to be metabolites-chemicals produced by cells during their normal life processes. In particular, the molecules that appeared to raise the risk of dying suddenly, or that seemed to protect against it, looked similar in pets and humans. This points to shared biological features underlying aging in the two species.

Kate Creavy, the project’s chief veterinarian, described the findings this way: 'My colleagues refer to the recurring set of molecules as a metabolic fingerprint, one that reveals the complete picture of what is happening at the cellular level.'

With average dog lifespans of 12 to 13 years, the findings may reshape current views on aging in animals and humans. Creavy also emphasized some straightforward advice for dog owners:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Keeping body weight in a normal range
• Staying physically active
• Engaging mentally

By revealing how aging biology crosses species, this work may guide future studies into human aging and open the door for new tools to assess health and longevity in both animals and people. Such tools could eventually influence veterinary medicine as well as public health. The study also highlights why companion animals are increasingly relevant to human aging research.

The recent study not only sheds light on the biological markers of aging in dogs and humans but also challenges traditional perceptions of how we measure a dog's age. For a deeper understanding of these findings and their implications, you can explore how scientists have recalibrated the concept of dog years, offering a new perspective on the relationship between age and health in our canine companions.