Don't want to get old? Set up the biological clock!
The data obtained by researchers at Oregon State University in experiments on Drosophila flies (Drosophila melanogaster) indicate that the lack of regular restful and sufficiently long night sleep reduces the body's ability to resist oxidative stress, has a negative impact on health, increases the wear and tear of the muscular and nervous systems, accelerates the aging process and, ultimately, brings death closer.
In his work, the results of which are published in the journal Aging in the article Natraj Krishnan et al. "The circadian clock gene period extends healthspan in aging Drosophila melanogaster" the authors, working under the guidance of Professor Jadwiga Giebultowicz, demonstrated for the first time that in an intact state, the period (per) gene, one of the four key genes regulating circadian rhythms (rhythms of day and night) of the body, provides a stronger the health of aging fruit flies. At the same time, the absence of this gene has a pronounced negative effect on the health of insects and leads to their premature death. Of particular interest is the observation that young flies that do not have the per gene are able to tolerate oxidative stress of a certain strength without any special consequences, whereas insects of middle and old age lose this ability.
In control experiments, the life expectancy of mutant fruit flies that do not have a functional per gene did not differ from the life expectancy of normal insects. At the same time, mild metabolic stress – an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species within 24 hours – had various effects on insects of different age categories. Young flies practically did not feel the effects of oxidative stress, while the physical condition of older insects deteriorated significantly. They partially lost the ability to move on steep surfaces, and morphological analysis of their brains revealed increased degeneration of neurons, similar to the pattern observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, a single oxidative stress in middle age shortened the life of flies by 12%, and in old age – by 20%.
Experiments with normal insects have shown that the expression of the studied gene decreases as the body ages. If this pattern also applies to people, it explains why some people lose the ability to cope with oxidative stress during the period of life when they especially need it.
The authors suggest that, in addition to participating in the "tuning" of the biological clock, the per gene controls the mechanism that ensures the restoration of oxidative damage. Disruption of the functioning of this gene leads to accelerated aging of the body, which can manifest itself in the development of a whole range of pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
To date, it is not entirely clear to what extent the results obtained can be extrapolated to mammals, including humans. However, it is known that almost all cells of the human body express the per gene, the structure and functions of which are generally similar to the structure and functions of the drosophila fly gene.
Recently, there is more and more evidence that circadian rhythm disturbances caused by lack of sleep, flights across several time zones, shift work and other lifestyle features cause the acceleration of aging processes and the development of age-associated pathologies. The results obtained by the authors indicate the possible involvement of the per gene in this process, which is the link between the work of the biological clock and the system that protects the body from oxidative damage.
In the near future, the authors plan to study in detail the mechanisms of functioning of the per gene and develop possible methods for restoring the normal operation of the biological clock.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru According to ScienceDaily: 'Biological Clock' Could Be a Key to Better Health, Longer Life.
03.03.2010