Aging - Oxidative stress, antioxidants and computational modeling

Abstract

Aging is a degenerative, biological, time-dependent, universally conserved process thus designed as one of the highest known risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Every individual has its own aging mechanisms as both environmental conditions (75%) and genetics (25%) account for aging. Several theories have been proposed until now but not even a single theory solves this mystery. There are still some queries un-answered to the scientific community regarding mechanisms behind aging. However, oxidative stress theory (OST) is considered one of the famous theories that sees mitochondria as one of the leading organelles which largely contribute to the aging process. Many reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced endogenously and exogenously that are associated with aging. But the mitochondrial ROS contribute largely to the aging process as mitochondrial dysfunction due to oxidative stress is considered one of the contributors toward aging. Although ROS is known to damage cell machinery, new evidence suggests their role in signal transduction to regulate biological and physiological processes. Moreover, besides mitochondria, other important cell organelles such as peroxisome and endoplasmic reticulum also produce ROS that contribute to aging. However, nature has provided humans with free radical scavengers called antioxidants that protect from harmful effects of ROS. Future predictions regarding aging, biochemical mechanisms involved, biomarkers internal and external factors can be easily done with machine learning algorithms and other computational models. This review explains important aspects of aging, the contribution of ROS producing organelles in aging, importance of antioxidants fighting against ROS, different computational models developed to understand the complexities of the aging.

The Influence of Maternal BMI on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Older Women

“…Aging is associated with increased oxidative stress and endothelial damage [7][8][9]. The association of older age with a higher risk of PE, FGR, stillbirth and placental ablution may suggest a relation of older age with placental dysfunction [3].…”

“…The aging of the body is a progressive, degenerative biological process that restricts various physiological functions over time. The mechanisms of aging remain unclear, and there are many theories regarding this issue (over 300) [7][8][9]. Theories related to the contribution of oxidative stress are the most popular.…”

“…They include increased production of oxidants (free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS)), a simultaneous reduction in the efficiency of antioxidant systems, and a reduction in the ability to respond to oxidative stress (involving various signaling pathways and antioxidant genes), and ultimately, the accumulation of the products of oxidative damage of nucleotides, proteins and lipids in the cells. DNA damage, the involvement of multiple biomarkers and of genetic factors are also part of these theories [7][8][9].…”

Antioxidant Supplementation in the Treatment of Neurotoxicity Induced by Platinum-Based Chemotherapeutics—A Review

“…There are different definitions of antioxidants; the most comprehensive definition describes antioxidants as substances that directly scavenge free radicals, inhibit their production, or indirectly act to up-regulate antioxidant defenses. Furthermore, antioxidant compounds should have the ability to form a new stable radical that is inactive for further oxidation, after scavenging the free radical [ 38 , 39 ]. Antioxidant protection mechanisms in humans include three lines of defense: preventive antioxidants, radical-scavenging antioxidants, and repair and de novo antioxidants.…”

“…But the human endogenous antioxidant system does not suffice, and the production of non-enzymatic antioxidants can be hardly producing in the human body. Therefore, there are exogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants ( Table 1 ) such as mineral elements, nutritional antioxidants, and antioxidants obtained from natural resources (phytochemicals/phytonutrients) [ 36 , 39 ]. Exogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants extensively used in medicine and industry are divided into natural and synthetic.…”