Translational Geroscience: Emphasizing function to achieve optimal longevity

Abstract

Among individuals, biological aging leads to cellular and organismal dysfunction and an increased risk of chronic degenerative diseases and disability. This sequence of events in combination with the projected increases in the number of older adults will result in a worldwide healthcare burden with dire consequences. Superimposed on this setting are the adults now reaching traditional retirement ages--the baby boomers--a group that wishes to remain active, productive and physically and cognitively fit as they grow older. Together, these conditions are producing an unprecedented demand for increased healthspan or what might be termed “optimal longevity”—to live long, but well. To meet this demand, investigators with interests in the biological aspects of aging from model organisms to human epidemiology (population aging) must work together within an interactive process that we describe as translational geroscience. An essential goal of this new investigational platform should be the optimization and preservation of physiological function throughout the lifespan, including integrative physical and cognitive function, which would serve to increase healthspan, compress morbidity and disability into a shorter period of late-life, and help achieve optimal longevity. To most effectively utilize this new approach, we must rethink how investigators and administrators working at different levels of the translational research continuum communicate and collaborate with each other, how best to train the next generation of scientists in this new field, and how contemporary biological-biomedical aging research should be organized and funded.

Comparative Pathology of Aging Great Apes

“…As is the case for improving health in aging in humans, it is hoped that further understanding of the pathology of aging in apes will provide information for improving their health throughout their life spans. 224 field veterinarians, and regional veterinary managers who have contributed cases to the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project pathology database. Cases submitted by Karisoke Research Institute (Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International) are also acknowledged.…”

Efficacy of Age-Specific High-Intensity Stretch-Shortening Contractions in Reversing Dynapenia, Sarcopenia, and Loss of Skeletal Muscle Quality

“…This initiative aims to incorporate physical activity assessment and exercise prescription into disease prevention and to translate evidence-based, scientifically-proven health benefits of exercise into the current and future healthcare system [78]. It is well-accepted that regular physical exercise, which includes resistance exercise loading, provides the most conclusive evidence for preserving, and even restoring, function and skeletal muscle mass with aging [7,[81][82][83][84][85]. It is chronic resistance exercise loading, or training, that is unique in promoting restoration or improvements in skeletal muscle performance (i.e., strength, work capacity, fatigue resistance, etc.)…”

“…It is chronic resistance exercise loading, or training, that is unique in promoting restoration or improvements in skeletal muscle performance (i.e., strength, work capacity, fatigue resistance, etc.) and skeletal muscle mass [83,84], as evidence for these findings exist in both human [57,71,83] and animal studies [66]; yet, little evidence exists for improving skeletal muscle quality in various populations, including aged populations [7,59]. There are numerous human studies that have suggested that resistance exercise training is beneficial in countering distinct components of musculoskeletal health and aging [71,83,84]; however, no translational study has shown that resistance exercise training can restore musculoskeletal health with aging to youthful states entirely.…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which include a spectrum of conditions that range from acute strains and sprains to chronic conditions such as maladaptation, overexertion, and repetitive use, are multifactorial conditions that can affect all individuals and present as a significant burden in terms of prevalence as well as fiscal impact [2,3]. Specific MSD concerns that present with the aging process in humans, as well as all mammals, are dynapenia, the age-related loss of strength specifically [4,5] (and loss of overall functional performance in general); sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass [6][7][8]; and decreased skeletal muscle quality (skeletal muscle performance per unit skeletal muscle mass). Interestingly, recent fundamental as well as translational data suggests that muscle quality may be the most specific and sensitive outcome metric pertinent to overall quality of life and longevity [9,10].…”

“…Interestingly, recent fundamental as well as translational data suggests that muscle quality may be the most specific and sensitive outcome metric pertinent to overall quality of life and longevity [9,10]. As these are familiar occurrences that may lead to decreased health-span (i.e., the period of life free from disability, morbidity, and chronic disease) [7], it is imperative that interventions specifically targeting and countering these age-related events are emphasized. Amongst common daily activities incurred by the neuro-musculo-skeletal system are skeletal muscle contractions that span a spectrum of intensities (i.e., low to moderate to high).…”