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Effect of Alpha-Fetoprotein on Lifespan of Old Mice


V. N. Krut’ko1,2, V. I. Dontsov1*, and A. V. Khalyavkin1

1Institute for Systems Analysis, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control”, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117312 Moscow, Russia; E-mail: dontsovvi@mail.ru

2Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; E-mail: krutkovn@mail.ru

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received May 22, 2016; Revision received July 22, 2016
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the best-known embryo-specific proteins. It is used to diagnose fetal abnormalities and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. AFP has pronounced immunotropic and detoxifying effect and a direct apoptotic effect on tumor cells. The treatment of mice at the oldest age in our experiments with AFP dramatically increased the survival and markedly increased the relative weight of immunotropic organs, apparently due to the general effect of AFP in improving functions of tissues and detoxifying actions. It also improved appearance and the relative weight of internal organs with a reduced age of autoaggression.
KEY WORDS: age, alpha-fetoprotein, life extension

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297916120087