Washington, Aug 20 - An anti-aging gene called klotho, when injected into lab models, significantly reduced high blood pressure (BP) or hypertension.

Researchers who uncovered a link between the newly discovered anti-aging gene and high BP, offer new clues on how we age and how we might live longer.

Most impressive was the complete reversal of kidney damage, which is associated with prolonged high BP and often leads to kidney failure.

High BP is a risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm and is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Even a modest elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy.

'One single injection of the klotho gene can reduce hypertension for at least 12 weeks and possibly longer,' said Zhongjie Sun, principal study investigator.

This is the first study showing that a decline in klotho protein level may be involved in the progression of hypertension and kidney damage, Sun said.