The inflammatory process in aging

Abstract

Aging processes are time-dependent, deteriorative functional changes. These functional changes lead to a progressive loss of the organism’s ability to withstand both internal and environmental stresses, causing the failure of cellular homeostasis. Among the modern hypotheses, the ‘Oxidative Stress Hypothesis’ offers the best mechanistic elucidation of aging phenomena. Based on the ‘Free Radical Theory of Aging’, this hypothesis has gained popularity among researchers in the field of gerontology as well as other biomedical fields. Its primary premise proposes that aging and its related disease processes are the net result of free radical-induced damage, asserting further that an organism’s inability to produce counterbalancing antioxidative defences, i.e. defences that offset disturbances in the redox state, underlies its cause.

Age-Related Differences in the Force Generation Capabilities and Tendon Extensibilities of Knee Extensors and Plantar Flexors in Men

“…Recent reviews show that upregulated NF-jB activity seems to be a widespread biological phenomenon in aged animals and that NF-jB is a critical transcription factor involved in the pathogenesis of many disorders, including inflammatory diseases (23,24). It is reported that oxidative stress, one plausible cause of aging, follows the same course as inflammation, which is implied intimate association among oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging (39,40).…”

“…NF-jB is activated by increased oxidative stress and inflammatory status, which are two of the most important occurrences commonly observed during aging (23,24). Aging is characteristically described as a time-dependent functional decline, leading to the cell's incapacity to withstand external and internal challenges (25).…”

Role of xanthine dehydrogenase and aging on the innate immune response of Drosophila

“…The oxidative stress theory of aging proposes that aging occurs as a consequence of the deleterious effects of oxygen free radicals produced during the course of cellular metabolism (5). The major cellular sources responsible for the generation of damage causing reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O2", H202, and "OH are found throughout the cell : in the mitochondria or peroxisomes, as well as being generated by various enzymes such as cyclooxygenase (COX), NADPH dehydrogenase, and NADPH oxidase ROS (6). The XOD enzyme system is also implicated in ROS production by activated phagocytic cells, as examplified by ischaemia-reperfusion injuries of the myocardium and small intestine (7,8).…”

“…Recently, the 'inflammatory Hypothesis on Aging' was suggested with the hope of providing a new perspective into the molecular mechanisms that bridge aging and age-related disease at the molecular levels (6). This theory suggests that inflammation releases pro-inflammatory mediators which indirectly lead to an increased ROS production.…”

“…Studies in rat suggesting a role of XDH/XOD in the aging process were recently reported (6,13). XDH/XOD expression at both the enzyme activity and gene expression levels are known to be upregulated under conditions associated with the inflammatory response suggesting that these gene products may play a role in the aging of the immune system as well (14).…”