Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025
10:08
Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: May 18, 2022
3.5K
Biomarkers of aging.
, Hainan Bao1, Jiani Cao2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, 100101, China.
Science China. Life Sciences
|April 19, 2023
Summary
Aging biomarkers assess biological age and aging processes. This review covers cellular to organismal biomarkers, proposing they must be specific, systemic, and clinically relevant for aging research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery and Validation
Background:
- Aging is a complex process characterized by accumulating physiological changes.
- Existing aging biomarkers have varying degrees of characterization regarding their utility and limitations.
- Understanding aging at cellular, organ, and organismal levels is crucial for healthspan research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on aging biomarkers across different biological levels.
- To address fundamental questions in aging research: current age, aging mechanisms, and interventions for slower aging.
- To propose criteria for effective aging biomarkers: specificity, systemicity, and clinical relevance.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of aging biomarkers.
- Categorization of biomarkers based on biological levels: cellular, organ, and organismal.
- Analysis of six key biomarker categories: physiological, imaging, histological, cellular, molecular, and secretory.
Main Results:
- A broad spectrum of aging biomarkers exists, targeting various aspects of the aging process.
- Biomarkers span multiple biological scales, from molecular alterations to organ-level changes.
- Current understanding of biomarker utility and limitations requires further characterization.
Conclusions:
- Aging biomarkers are essential tools for assessing age-related changes and predicting health trajectories.
- Effective aging biomarkers should be specific, systemic, and clinically relevant.
- Further research is needed to fully characterize and validate aging biomarkers for clinical application.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
2.2K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.2K
01:26Aging
93
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
93
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
129
Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
129
01:37Mitochondria
14.0K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
14.0K
01:29Bone Disorders
3.7K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
3.7K
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
212
Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
212