The horizons of an interdisciplinary synthesis in experimental gerontology

This review summarizes the main points of an interdisciplinary, theoretically established approach to the problem of cell senescence, called membrane hypothesis of aging (MHA). The main knowledge and some new suggestions regarding the damaging and sometimes useful roles of the oxygen free radicals is outlined. The most important experimental results are listed, which harmonize with the MHA. It is emphasized that MHA is not an alternative to the other aging hypotheses but represents a synthesis of most of them. It is pointed out that the new drug design based on the MHA resulted in a useful new molecule which is able to improve the key cell parameters deteriorated by advancing age. The necessity of a closer international cooperation is emphasized, in order to achieve a breakthrough in experimental gerontology within this century.