Hormesis: why it is important to biogerontologists

Abstract

This paper offers a broad assessment of the hormetic dose response and its relevance to biogerontology. The paper provides detailed background information on the historical foundations of hormesis, its quantitative features, mechanistic foundations, as well as how the hormesis concept could be further applied in the development of new therapeutic advances in the treatment of age-related diseases. The concept of hormesis has direct application to biogerontology not only affecting the quality of the aging process but also experimental attempts to extend longevity.

Interaction of TiO 2 nanoparticles with the marine microalga Nitzschia closterium : Growth inhibition, oxidative stress and internalization

“…This phenomenon was attributed to hormetic responses. Hormesis is the modest stimulation of a particular function (e.g., growth rate) at low doses and inhibition of the same function at high doses, which can be attributed to an adaptive response to toxicants (Calabrese et al, 2012). A similar result was observed by Hartmann et al (2010).…”

“…Based on our results, the increased SOD activities were coupled with increases in CAT and POD activities. This effect was considered to be the hormesis response, which has been widely described as a stimulatory effect caused by short-term exposure to a low dose of a toxicant (Calabrese et al, 2012). Subsequently, depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities (6-48 h), including the activities of SOD, CAT and POD, was detected along with ROS accumulation, suggesting that the enhanced ROS level had exceeded the scavenging ability of the antioxidant enzymes (Fig.…”

Toxic effects of graphene on the growth and nutritional levels of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): short- and long-term exposure studies

“…This grapheneinduced increase is consistent with the finding of Hu [8], who treated wheat plants with 200 mg L −1 graphene. This phenomenon could be considered the "hormesis response", which has been widely described as a stimulatory effect caused by exposure to a low dose of a toxicant [38]. However, how these enzymes are affected by a higher concentration of graphene remains unclear.…”

Reduced graphene oxide induces cytotoxicity and inhibits photosynthetic performance of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus

“…7c, d). The observed increase in these enzyme activities in algal cells after treatment with a low level of RGO was considered to be the hormesis response, which has been widely described as a stimulatory effect caused by exposure to a low dose of a toxicant (Calabrese et al, 2012). The observed decreases in enzyme activities in algal cells with high level of RGO might be associated with enzyme protein reduction (Romero-Puertas et al, 2002), limiting available substrates (Casano et al, 1997) or blocking the active center (Sandalio et al, 2001).…”