Theories of aging

Aging: telomeres + mitochondria + stem cells + …

Degradation of telomeres and activation of p53 expression contribute to disruption of stem cells and mitochondria functions and aging at all levels, from biomolecules to the whole organism. Deciphering the interrelationships of these and other mechanisms of aging will allow us to develop methods for its prevention and rejuvenation of organs and tissues of the elderly.

Genetics of aging and how to deal with it

The search for substances and methods that affect already known and as yet undiscovered genes and signaling pathways associated with aging continues. Whether we will wait for the results with you is another question…

Telomerase is an eternally young topic

Currently, several drugs are being studied, the mechanism of action of which is somehow directed at the activity of the telomerase enzyme. To treat cancer, they try to inhibit telomerase, to prolong life – to activate it.

Are "runaway" proteins another cause of aging?

The "leakage" of some proteins from mitochondria damaged by free radicals is detrimental to cells, which manifests itself in the form of hearing loss and other age-related diseases. By acting on these proteins, scientists hope to overcome senile ailments.

Russia is the birthplace of telomeres!

Alexey Olovnikov, who theoretically predicted the shortening of chromosomes during aging and the existence of the "enzyme of immortality" – telomerase, was announced the winner of the Demidov Prize.

A matter of life and death

The Science for Life Extension Foundation has asked renowned scientists working in various fields of biology to answer questions related to aging.

Free radical theory of aging: new data against

Over the past forty years, the free radical theory of aging has dominated official science, explaining age-related changes by the action of reactive oxygen species on cellular structures. However, experimental data are gradually beginning to appear, proving the absence of a link between oxidative stress and aging.

In search of the elixir of youth

At the end of January, conferences dedicated to the memory of V.V. Frolkis, an outstanding physiologist and gerontologist who devoted his life to the study of the fundamental mechanisms of aging, were held in Kiev.

Has another aging factor been discovered?

Based on the results of the studies already conducted, we received a diploma for the discovery of "The phenomenon of accumulation of aging factor in mammalian organisms". Now the main task is to determine what exactly this factor is. Then we can identify the gene that is responsible for its synthesis, and look for methods either to inhibit this synthesis, or to reduce the biological activity of the aging factor in the body.

Another aging mechanism: nuclear pores

Reactive oxygen species, which have long been the main enemy of gerontologists, are able to accelerate the wear of nuclear pores, and with it the aging of the entire cell. It remains to be hoped that a system compensating for these "leaks" still exists, and if it can be detected, it will become a new round in the study of active longevity.

Mitochondrial free radical theory of aging – at what stage are we?

To date, one of the most popular theories of aging is a version of the free radical theory, according to which mitochondria are both a source and a target of reactive oxygen species. We present a critical overview of the state of the key principles and concepts on which this theory is based.

References to the article "Mitochondrial free radical theory of aging - at what stage are we?"

Age-related changes in nonspecific immunity - prolonging life

Numerous facts indicate a decrease in the effectiveness of the functioning of the immune system with increasing age, as a result of which the incidence and mortality from infectious diseases increases tens and hundreds of times. The weakening and violation of the immune response is associated with an increase in the frequency of oncological and autoimmune diseases.

The main scientific theories of aging

The mechanisms of aging are quite complex and diverse. Today there are several alternative theories that partly contradict each other, and partly complement each other.

Old and new theories of aging

There are several dozen theories of aging. Many of them are already only of historical interest, while the rest, reflecting a number of essential aspects of the process, can be put into a logical scheme of a more universal general mechanism of aging. One thing is common to all hypotheses – the aging of the body begins immediately after the division of the fertilized egg begins.

Anti-oncogenes, aging and anti-aging: the more we know…

Anti-oncogene p16 is an effector of physiological aging of cells and aging of the whole organism; protein p19, which is also an anti-oncogene, suppresses these processes. The lack of the BubR1 protein induces an increase in the expression of both of these regulators of aging and, most likely, some other, as yet unknown...

The dream of eternal life

Finding a "Macropoulos remedy" that allows you to defeat old age with one pill is a hopeless task, but in recent years, the problems of gerontology have attracted increasing attention from researchers in various fields of life sciences.