延缓衰老的研究途径

Approaches on intervention of the aging process

衰老是一复杂的生物过程,是各种因素引起的综合表现。目前对衰老的解释存在有多种理论假说,也有多种研究途径,简述如下: 一、抗自由基损害 衰老的自由基理论认为,细胞氧化代谢产生的超氧离子O2-是引起衰老的原因。O2-与组织中的H+产生更为活泼的OH-,它们作用于细胞膜上不饱和脂肪酸,形成一系列过氧化产物,过氧化产物的扩散引起生物大分子氧化变性,导致机体慢性损伤和衰老。也有人认为,自由基通过诱导未成熟的mRNA从核内结合部位释出到细胞质中。

Aging is a complex biologic process. There are a lot of theories on mechanisms of aging, but no any one is able to explain all phenomena of aging. Free radicals which caused peroxidation of polyunsaturaied lipids of membrane attracted more attention. There were reports that the aging process may be hindered by addition of antioxidant such as Vitamine E and glutathione and by enhancement of antioxidant defense enzyme activity. Food restriction was believed to be another effective way of retarding aging. It not only reduced metabolic rate and accumulation of lipofuscin but also kept protein,turnover high and serum calcitoni.n low. Immune response mediated by T cell declined markedly with thymus involution. Thymus transplantation and T cell immune restoration may improve the age-related defects of immune system. The increase of monoaminoxidase-B(MAO-B) activity in the aged indicated that administration of MAO inhibitor was able to relieve the psychologic symptoms of aging. Age-associated deteriorations followed the loss of reproductive ability which suggested that many plants known as aphrodisiacs or sexual stimulus may be tried to potentiate sexual ability and restore the vitality of the aged. Chinese medicine accounts for the cause of aging from the point of tonic and wanness or balance between Yiag and Yang. Some Chinese herbs and extracts from plants or animals have been proved to have effects on delaying aging process.