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Oxidant-Based Cytotoxic Agents During Aging: From Disturbed Energy Metabolism to Chronic Inflammation and Disease

Jürgen Arnhold1

  • 1Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.

Biomolecules
|April 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Aging results from cellular damage caused by host-derived cytotoxic agents, like reactive species. Maintaining balance with protective mechanisms is crucial for health and preventing age-related diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Aging involves the continuous disturbance of biomolecular order by physical and chemical factors.
  • Host-derived cytotoxic agents, including reactive species and free heme, significantly contribute to cellular damage.
  • Cellular homeostasis relies on antagonizing principles that counteract these damaging agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the aging process through the lens of host-derived cytotoxic agents and their interaction with protective mechanisms.
  • To analyze the age-related disturbances in energy metabolism, nutrient supply, and the development of inflammaging.
  • To examine the link between the balance of cytotoxic agents and protective mechanisms with age-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on aging, cellular damage, and homeostasis.
  • Analysis of the interplay between oxidant-based cytotoxic agents and antagonizing principles.
  • Examination of age-based physiological alterations, including ATP production and mitochondrial function.

Main Results:

  • Aging is characterized by disturbed energy metabolism, nutrient supply, and chronic inflammation (inflammaging).
  • The balance between cytotoxic agents and protective mechanisms is altered by age-related physiological changes.
  • Dysfunctional mitochondria, altered redox homeostasis, and hypoxia adaptations contribute to aging pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Disturbances in the balance between cytotoxic agents and antagonizing principles are linked to age-related diseases.
  • Understanding these molecular interactions is key to addressing the pathogenesis of diseases in older individuals.
  • Maintaining cellular homeostasis through balanced protective mechanisms is vital for healthy aging.
Keywords:
agingantagonizing principlescytotoxic agentshypoxiainflammagingoxidative stressreactive speciesredox homeostasis

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