The Free Radical Theory of Aging In Search of a Strategy for Increasing Life Span / Свободнорадикальная Теория О Старении В Поиске Стратегии Увеличить Продолжительность Жизни

Abstract

This overview is an attempt to throw a fresh look at the popular free radical theory of aging (referred to also as oxidative stress theory) which holds that the progressive decline in physiological functions is a result of accumulation of diverse deleterious changes caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We discuss the role of mitochondria as a major source of ROS in the cell and how these link accumulation of oxidative damage to the age-related changes in physiologic functions. The free radical theory of aging is analysed here from two different views of aging--one (the pessimistic view) that regards aging as the inevitable result of life activity the consequences of which are accumulation of errors in the genome and damage of the biomolecules, and the other (the optimistic view) which considers that it is the changes in mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis with age that cause the functional tissue changes and aging. We also discuss the possibility of delaying the aging process by appropriate diet or drug therapy, which includes also calorie restriction as a mechanism of modifying the generation of free radicals and body metabolism and thus extending lifespan as a result.

Successful aging: Advancing the science of physical independence in older adults

“…Weight reduction in overweight individuals can also impact physical function indirectly by reducing pain(McCarthy, Bigal, Katz, Derby, and Lipton 2009) and fatigue. (Avlund 2010) In addition, DR can promote proper redox status (Hofer, Fontana, Anton, Weiss, Villareal, Malayappan, and Leeuwenburgh 2008;Ivanova and Yankova 2013), anti-inflammatory action(Chung, Cesari, Anton, Marzetti, Giovannini, Seo, Carter, Yu, and Leeuwenburgh 2009), and cellular quality control, as well as maintain a healthy population of mitochondria through biogenesis. (Aris, Alvers, Ferraiuolo, Fishwick, Hanvivatpong, Hu, Kirlew, Leonard, Losin, and Marraffini 2013;Dutta, Calvani, Bernabei, Leeuwenburgh, and Marzetti 2012) Furthermore, DR has been shown to be a potent stimulant of autophagy in preclinical models (Cavallini, Donati, Gori, Pollera, and Bergamini 2001;Donati, Cavallini, Paradiso, Vittorini, Pollera, Gori, and Bergamini 2001;Wohlgemuth, Julian, Akin, Fried, Toscano, Leeuwenburgh, and Dunn 2007), which may be a key mediator through which DR improves physical performance.…”

Aging Hallmarks and Progression and Age-Related Diseases: A Landscape View of Research Advancement

“…Oxidative stress has been assumed to notably contribute to aging. − The oxidative stress theory of aging hypothesizes that age-related decline in physiological performance is caused by a slow continual accumulation of oxidative damage to biomolecules, which grows with age and is associated with life expectancy decline of organisms . Oxidative damage contributes to multiple hallmarks of aging and drives multiple age-related diseases.…”

Aging Hallmarks and Anti-aging Strategies: A Landscape of Research Advancement

“…Oxidative stress has been assumed to notably contribute to aging. [313][314][315][316] The oxidative stress theory of aging hypothesizes that age-related decline in physiological performance is caused by a slow continual accumulation of oxidative damage to biomolecules, which grows with age and is associated with life expectancy decline of organisms. 317 Oxidative damage contributes to multiple hallmarks of aging and drive multiple age-related diseases.…”