In past years researchers have demonstrated in animal studies that reduced levels of klotho can shorten life span while increased levels modestly extend life span. The underlying mechanisms are complex and not fully understood. As is also the case for other longevity-related proteins, altering levels in circulation through gene therapy or other methods changes many aspects of cellular metabolism. Unraveling this complexity is a slow and expensive process. One small part of the bigger picture in this case is the relationship between klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). The review paper below examines what is known on this topic:
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