Reflections on the Theories of Aging, of Oxidative Stress, and of Science in General. Is It Time to Abandon the Free Radical (Oxidative Stress) Theory of Aging?

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan I. Liochev
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Shinmura

The biology of aging has not been fully clarified, but the free radical theory of aging is one of the strongest aging theories proposed to date. The free radical theory has been expanded to the oxidative stress theory, in which mitochondria play a central role in the development of the aging process because of their critical roles in bioenergetics, oxidant production, and regulation of cell death. A decline in cardiac mitochondrial function associated with the accumulation of oxidative damage might be responsible, at least in part, for the decline in cardiac performance with age. In contrast, lifelong caloric restriction can attenuate functional decline with age, delay the onset of morbidity, and extend lifespan in various species. The effect of caloric restriction appears to be related to a reduction in cellular damage induced by reactive oxygen species. There is increasing evidence that sirtuins play an essential role in the reduction of mitochondrial oxidative stress during caloric restriction. We speculate that cardiac sirtuins attenuate the accumulation of oxidative damage associated with age by modifying specific mitochondrial proteins posttranscriptionally. Therefore, the distinct role of each sirtuin in the heart subjected to caloric restriction should be clarified to translate sirtuin biology into clinical practice.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Suzuki ◽  
D. Craig Willcox ◽  
Matthew W. Rosenbaum ◽  
Bradley J. Willcox

Background. The Free Radical Theory of Aging mechanistically links oxidative stress to aging. Okinawa has among the world's longest-lived populations but oxidative stress in this population has not been well characterized.Methods. We compared plasma lipid peroxide (LPO) and vitamin E—plasma and intracellular tocopherol levels (total α, β, and γ), in centenarians with younger controls.Results. Both LPO and vitamin E tocopherols were lower in centenarians, with the exception of intracellular β-tocopherol, which was significantly higher in centenarians versus younger controls. There were no significant differences between age groups for tocopherol: cholesterol and tocopherol: LPO ratios. Correlations were found between α-Tocopherol and LPO in septuagenarians but not in centenarians.Conclusions. The low plasma level of LPO in Okinawan centenarians, compared to younger controls, argues for protection against oxidative stress in the centenarian population and is consistent with the predictions of the Free Radical Theory of Aging. However, the present work does not strongly support a role for vitamin E in this phenomenon. The role of intracellular β-tocopherol deserves additional study. More research is needed on the contribution of oxidative stress and antioxidants to human longevity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamila Syslová ◽  
Adéla Böhmová ◽  
Miloš Mikoška ◽  
Marek Kuzma ◽  
Daniela Pelclová ◽  
...  

Aging is a complex process of organism decline in physiological functions. There is no clear theory explaining this phenomenon, but the most accepted one is the oxidative stress theory of aging. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, substances, which are formed during oxidative damage of phospholipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are present in body fluids of diseased people as well as the healthy ones (in a physiological concentration). 8-isoprostaglandin F2αis the most prominent biomarker of phospholipid oxidative damage,o-tyrosine, 3-chlorotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine are biomarkers of protein oxidative damage, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and 8-hydroxyguanosine are biomarkers of oxidative damage of nucleic acids. It is thought that the concentration of biomarkers increases as the age of people increases. However, the concentration of biomarkers in body fluids is very low and, therefore, it is necessary to use a sensitive analytical method. A combination of HPLC and MS was chosen to determine biomarker concentration in three groups of healthy people of a different age (twenty, forty, and sixty years) in order to find a difference among the groups.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Carmine Izzo ◽  
Paolo Vitillo ◽  
Paola Di Pietro ◽  
Valeria Visco ◽  
Andrea Strianese ◽  
...  

Aging can be seen as process characterized by accumulation of oxidative stress induced damage. Oxidative stress derives from different endogenous and exogenous processes, all of which ultimately lead to progressive loss in tissue and organ structure and functions. The oxidative stress theory of aging expresses itself in age-related diseases. Aging is in fact a primary risk factor for many diseases and in particular for cardiovascular diseases and its derived morbidity and mortality. Here we highlight the role of oxidative stress in age-related cardiovascular aging and diseases. We take into consideration the molecular mechanisms, the structural and functional alterations, and the diseases accompanied to the cardiovascular aging process.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1790 (10) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviana I. Pérez ◽  
Alex Bokov ◽  
Holly Van Remmen ◽  
James Mele ◽  
Qitao Ran ◽  
...  

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