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Biomarkers of aging: Do we know what to look for?

Article Abstract:

Biomarkers of aging have been studied for decades, but what they are and why they are needed are far from clear. There is no one definition of a biomarker, and it has been pointed out that the term is becoming defined as it is being used. The goals of identifying biomarkers are important for an understanding of the concept. There are several goals: understanding the determinants of aging; standardization of studies of aging, so that results can be compared; monitoring of the outcomes of treatments on the rate of aging; determining the biological age of a person, and from this information, estimating that person's life expectancy; and estimating the maximum life span of a species, as well as the chronologic age of an individual. The applications are important. Insurance companies, employers, and forensic pathologists would all have an interest in such biomarkers. Identification of biomarkers is complicated. What were originally thought to be biomarkers of aging proved to be only the manifestations of diseases that are common in the elderly. A biomarker must be independent of disease, metabolism or nutritional change, and there must be more than a simple correlation between the measurement and chronologic age. The biomarker should produce the same results when identified in or applied to different tissues, and in different members of the same species. It should be applicable to different syndromes of premature aging. In order to be useful, testing should not kill the test animal, including humans. Most biomarkers will turn out to simply be the effects of aging, but it is hoped that some of these will also turn out to be determinants of aging. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement

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Programmed cell death: new thoughts and relevance to aging

Article Abstract:

Programmed cell death is a process that occurs during embryological development, and involves the death of groups of cells which are not needed or are excessive for the organism's future function. Because it may affect the aging process, programmed cell death is receiving increased attention. Researchers have gained increased understanding of programmed cell death and have speculated about its function. It occurs in both dividing and nondividing cells (for example, nerve and muscle cells); it may prevent the release of potentially toxic materials (such as occurs following injury of the cell by a virus); and it may be a response to several factors, including stress, hormonal support, and developmental status. The actual process involves the activation of a small group of genes. To date no evidence has demonstrated that programmed cell death is required for aging, but the large distribution of affected tissues suggests that it may be a universal process, resulting in diminished function of the organism. Several aspects of programmed cell death are reviewed. The actual processes by which cells die and alterations in genetically-controlled protein synthesis are discussed. Current research is focusing on related environmental factors and identifying the specific genes that are activated in programmed cell death. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Cell death

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Gastrointestinal proliferation and aging

Article Abstract:

Studies on the proliferative activity of cells of the stomach, small intestine and colon with regard to aging are reviewed. Researches have shown that the aging human and rodent stomach have increased proliferation and decreased responsiveness to injury which may be important in the development and impaired healing of gastroduodenal ulcers. Production of relatively undifferentiated villus epithelium is also associated with aging in the rat intestine. On the other hand, crypt hyperplasia, increased rate of proliferation and a broadened proliferative zone are found in the colon of aging rats. The effects of injury, starvation and refeeding are also studied.

Gastrointestinal mucosa, Gastrointestinal system

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