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Ageing mechanisms and associated lipid changes
Genovefa Kolovou, Niki Katsiki, Antonis Pavlidis
1Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Sygrou Ave, 176 74 Athens, Greece;. genovefa@kolovou.com.
Abstract:
Ageing is related to slowdown/breakdown of the somatotropic axis (i.e. the somatopause) leading to many physiological changes. The somatopause is accompanied by DNA and other macromolecule damage, and is characterized by a progressive decline in vitality and tissue function. We still do not have a definitive understanding of the mechanism( s) of ageing. Several overlapping theories have been proposed such as: 1) The free radical theory, 2) Mitochondrial Ageing, 3) The Glycation Theory, 4) Protein Damage and Maintenance in Ageing, and, 5) DNA Damage and Repair. Furthermore, several models of ageing were introduced such as genetically programmed senescence, telomere shortening, genomic instability, heterochromatin loss, altered epigenetic patterns and long lived cells. There are certain lipid modifications associated with the somatopause, characterized mainly by an increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both genders. In this review we consider the mechanisms of ageing and the associated changes in lipid metabolism according to gender.
Insights
Ageing involves somatopause, leading to physiological decline and macromolecule damage. This review explores ageing mechanisms and gender-specific lipid metabolism changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and molecular biology.
Background:
- Ageing is linked to the somatotropic axis slowdown (somatopause), causing physiological changes and macromolecule damage.
- Current understanding of ageing mechanisms is incomplete, with theories including free radical damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, glycation, protein damage, and DNA damage.
- Ageing is also modeled by genetic programming, telomere shortening, genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, and cellular senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted mechanisms of ageing.
- To examine gender-specific alterations in lipid metabolism associated with the somatopause.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ageing theories and models.
- Analysis of lipid metabolism changes in the context of ageing and gender.
Main Results:
- The somatopause is associated with increased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both genders.
- Multiple overlapping theories and models attempt to explain the complex process of ageing.
Conclusions:
- Understanding ageing requires integrating various theories and models.
- Lipid metabolism undergoes gender-specific modifications during the ageing process.
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