[Note: Kinetin, N(6)-furfuryladenine, is a cytokinin that is a plant growth
factor naturally found in plant extracts and even in human urine -
http://pmid.us/11112419. Animal in vitro studies have shown it to have important
effects on cellular differentiation and apoptosis and, specifically, to be "a
strong inhibitor of oxidative and glycoxidative protein-damage" -
http://pmid.us/11027621.
Because such studies have also shown Kinetin to have anti-aging effects in human
cells, its effects on skin have been researched for several years and it began
appearing in skin care products a couple of years ago (at least in Toronto that
I and Kitty saw). It is a chemical that some knowledgeable people have suggested
may have human life extension benefits - http://pmid.us/11708719 and therefore I
have been watching it for some time now.

The following email exchange is being posted because it supplies the
first mammalian ingestion information that I have heard, even if entirely
anecdotal. For those who may be concerned, the permission of the other
respondant was obtained before this posting. --Paul]

Mark Patterson wrote on 8/7/2007:
> Paul & Kitty,
>
> This is VERY preliminary and antecdotal, but oral consumption of
> kinetin may be very important and you are the first I wanted to tell.

Hi Mark,

I have known about kinetin and have been following it since at least
2000. I spoke to one of its chief researchers and promoters (SI
Rattan) at Aubrey de Grey's initial Cambridge life extension
conference in 2002. Unfortunately since that time all the major
research on kinetin has been geared towards its cosmetic dermal use
and none towards ingestion.


> 2 70 ml doses of kinetin solution per day
>
> I add one dose to a liter of water (the solution I use to take my
> supplements - also includes 15 g creatine plus an amino acid mixture
> glycine/L-arginine pyroglutamate/carnosine/taurine) and the second
> does to a green tea mixture (green tea/grape juice/lemon juice/fiber).
>
> Kinetin solution created by adding .4 g of kinetin to a liter of
> clear vinegar. In the future I'll be dissolving the kinetin in
> glacial acetic acid to achieve a more complete solution.
>
> I appear to be regaining my sight (nearsightedness) reducing the
> need for glasses, I can now sprint faster than my 17 year old son,
> my complexion seems to be improving.
>
> Wishful/positive thinking? Quite possibly. If so I hope the
> benefits of a positive attitude continue because I like what I'm
> experiencing.

This all sounds very positive and may well be the result of the kinetin.
I have not sought to take it nor to make it available to others
because it has not had even one testing of ingestion in mammals as far
as I know. IMO, without some such testing it is too risky to take at
this time.

If you know of any others who are ingesting kinetin then it would be
very useful to compile such a list, and their anecdotal reports of
effects. This would be better than the total lack of information that
is currently available in the scientific literature and would at least
show the general short term safety of the dosages being taken. As the
duration of ingestion time increases for these "guinea pigs", the
longer term safety would also become apparent.
What is really needed is a lifespan study in mice or rats of kinetin
versus controls and CR.

--Paul