Focus on senescence: Clinical significance and practical applications

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Cellular Biology
• Aging Research
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Global life expectancy is rising due to medical advancements, increasing focus on healthspan.
• Aging is a complex biological process involving accumulating cellular damage and reduced repair mechanisms.
• Cellular senescence, the accumulation of senescent cells, contributes to aging and age-related diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on targeting senescent cells (senotherapeutics) to mitigate age-related diseases.
• To summarize findings from animal models regarding senotherapeutics' impact on aging.
• To assess the translational potential of senotherapeutics for human healthspan.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing scientific literature.
• Focus on studies investigating senotherapeutics (senolytics and senomorphics).
• Analysis of research on lifestyle interventions (diet, physical activity) and senescence.

Main Results:

• Senotherapeutic molecules have demonstrated the ability to extend lifespan and healthspan in animal models.
• Removing or reducing senescent cell burden can decrease age-dependent deterioration.
• Lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise show protective effects against cellular senescence.

Conclusions:

• Targeting cellular senescence is a promising strategy for reducing age-related disease risk.
• Senotherapeutics hold potential for slowing the aging process and improving healthspan in humans.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and implications for future therapeutic development.