Search results for "longevity."
showing 10 items of 373 documents
Dietary Patterns and Healthy Ageing
2021
Ageing is a complex process in which multiple factors are involved that can contribute to determine whether a person will or not be affected by diseases that are more frequently observed in advanced age. The factors involved comprise genetic, environmental, behavioural, and dietary factors, which influence pathways that regulate the ageing process and the life expectancy, rendering longevity a multifaceted phenomenon. Even if a miraculous elixir or pill is not yet available, there is general agreement that nutrition has a major impact on the overall mortality and on the development of age-related chronic non-communicable diseases. Nutrition research has focused for decades on single nutrien…
A Radical Signal Activates the Epigenetic Regulation of Longevity
2013
Hormesis is an adaptive stress response implicated in longevity regulation. Schroeder et al. (2013) have now connected stress, epigenetic changes, and aging in yeast by showing that mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species modulate the chromatin binding capacity of the histone demethylase Rph1p at subtelomeres, resulting in lifespan extension.
Resveratrol in Experimental Models and Humans
2018
Abstract The search for natural compounds with beneficial activity for health has been one of the great challenges since men are aware of their survival. Many elixirs and ointments have been tested as the possible treatment or remedy for diseases or even death. In traditional medicine, compounds with biological activities have been used in humans. Among them, resveratrol (RSV) is, currently, one of the most studied natural compounds by modern science. To study this polyphenol we have a series of very useful tools that allow us to investigate from molecular targets, to signaling pathways in which it is involved, as well as effects on pathologies and even health and longevity. In this chapter…
Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway in exceptional longevity in humans
2018
Centenarians are the best example of successfully aging in humans. Thus, the characterization of the biological processes and pathways in this population is an excellent strategy to understand the lifespan extension. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated-transcription factor historically known for regulating expression of several important drug-detoxifying proteins. But recently its role in the immune response and in cellular homeostasis has been recognized. Furthermore, AhR is activated in C. Elegans in extreme longevity due to a dietary restriction. We report here results of a whole transcriptome analysis of centenarians. The main biological process was the immune resp…
Sperm quality, secondary sexual characters and parasitism in roach (Rutilus rutilus L.)
2004
According to sperm competition models, a male spawning in a disfavoured role should have spermatozoa with higher velocity but shorter longevity compared with a male spawning in a favoured role. Moreover, immunosuppressive androgens are needed to produce both secondary sexual characters and sperm cells. The ‘sperm protection’ hypothesis suggests that the immunosuppressive action of androgens has evolved to protect haploid spermatozoa, which are antigenic, from autoimmune attacks. Therefore, a male with high sexual ornamentation may be more susceptible to diseases but may possess better quality ejaculate than his less ornamented rival. We studied sexual ornamentation (breeding tubercles), eja…
Sicilian semi- and supercentenarians: identification of age-related T cell immunophenotype to define longevity trait
2023
: The immunophenotype of oldest centenarians, i.e., semi- and supercentenarians, could provide important information about their ability to adapt to factors associated with immune changes, including ageing per se and chronic Cytomegalovirus infection. We investigated, by flow cytometry, variations in percentages and absolute numbers of immune cell subsets, focusing on T cells, and pro-inflammatory parameters in a cohort of 28 women and 26 men (age range 19-110 years). We observed variability in hallmarks of immunosenescence related to age and Cytomegalovirus serological status. The eight oldest centenarians showed the lowest percentages of naïve T cells, due to their age, and the highest pe…
Should dispersers be fast learners? Modeling the role of cognition in dispersal syndromes.
2021
Abstract Both cognitive abilities and dispersal tendencies can vary strongly between individuals. Since cognitive abilities may help dealing with unknown circumstances, it is conceivable that dispersers may rely more heavily on learning abilities than residents. However, cognitive abilities are costly and leaving a familiar place might result in losing the advantage of having learned to deal with local conditions. Thus, individuals which invested in learning to cope with local conditions may be better off staying at their natal place. In order to disentangle the complex relationship between dispersal and learning abilities, we implemented individual‐based simulations. By allowing for develo…
Hemostasis and ageing
2008
Abstract On March 19, 2008 a Symposium on Pathophysiology of Ageing and Age-Related Diseases was held in Palermo, Italy. The lecture of D. Mari on Hemostasis and ageing is summarized herein. Physiological ageing is associated with increased plasma levels of many proteins of blood coagulation together with fibrinolysis impairment. This may be of great concern in view of the known association between vascular and thromboembolic diseases and ageing. On the other hand, centenarians are characterized by a state of hypercoagulability and possession of several high-risk alleles and well-known atherothrombotic risk markers but this appears to be compatible with longevity and/or health. Parameters c…
INNATE IMMUNITY AND INFLAMMATION IN AGEING: A KEY FOR UNDERSTANDING AGE-RELATED DISEASES.
2005
Abstract The process of maintaining life for the individual is a constant struggle to preserve his/her integrity. This can come at a price when immunity is involved, namely systemic inflammation. Inflammation is not per se a negative phenomenon: it is the response of the immune system to the invasion of viruses or bacteria and other pathogens. During evolution the human organism was set to live 40 or 50 years; today, however, the immune system must remain active for much a longer time. This very long activity leads to a chronic inflammation that slowly but inexorably damages one or several organs: this is a typical phenomenon linked to ageing and it is considered the major risk factor for a…
Genetics of longevity. Data from the studies on Sicilian centenarians
2012
Abstract The demographic and social changes of the past decades have determined improvements in public health and longevity. So, the number of centenarians is increasing as a worldwide phenomenon. Scientists have focused their attention on centenarians as optimal model to address the biological mechanisms of "successful and unsuccessful ageing". They are equipped to reach the extreme limits of human life span and, most importantly, to show relatively good health, being able to perform their routine daily life and to escape fatal age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Thus, particular attention has been centered on their genetic background and immune system. In thi…