Search results for "longevity."

Aging and longevity: An evolutionary approach

2021

Abstract In the chapter, first of all, the definition of aging, longevity, and the various types of aging are discussed. Then, analyzing various theories of aging, it is recalled how evolution teaches us that there should be no genes selected to promote aging. Aging is not planned but derives from the accumulation of physical damage, due to limited investments in maintenance and repair as well as from the epigenetic changes. After sufficient time has passed, the increasing levels of these defects interfere with the performance of tissues and organs, resulting in a breakdown of self-organizing system and a reduced ability to adapt to the environment.

Models of Immune Aging

2018

Abstract Biochemical changes, impaired immune responses to new antigens, and inflammation-based disorders are commonly found in aged individuals. Thus, many studies have addressed the immune system of healthy elderly, including centenarians, since a well-preserved immune system appears to be a major factor of longevity. Longitudinal studies in humans are complicated, as most immune changes associated with aging develop slowly. Human models of accelerated immune aging in clinical conditions allow exploring the age-related changes in the human immune system and the mechanisms of accelerated aging in chronic infections and autoimmunity. Even if they do not perfectly mimic immune function and i…

The Mediterranean diet: A historical perspective on food for health.

2020

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) represents the crystallisation of the centuries-old cooking legacies of different civilisations. The association of the MedDiet with longevity and low cardiovascular risk prompted the Seven Countries Study, which provided epidemiological evidence on the health effects of diet. This led to further studies, both epidemiological and interventional. Scales to measure adherence as well as studies of food components have consolidated a body of knowledge that is of great interest to institutions and governmental agencies. The recognition of its benefits for health has made the widespread introduction of the MedDiet an urgent challenge. Parallel efforts are being ma…

Fasting-mimicking diet prevents high-fat diet effect on cardiometabolic risk and lifespan

2021

Diet-induced obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Here, we show that a 5-d fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), administered every 4 weeks for a period of 2 years, ameliorates the detrimental changes caused by consumption of a high-fat, high-calorie diet (HFCD) in female mice. We demonstrate that monthly FMD cycles inhibit HFCD-mediated obesity by reducing the accumulation of visceral and subcutaneous fat without causing loss of lean body mass. FMD cycles increase cardiac vascularity and function and resistance to cardiotoxins, prevent HFCD-dependent hyperglycaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperleptinaemia and ameliorate impaired glucose and…

The Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Epidemiology

2006

The Mediterranean diet was first considered to be a low-saturated fat diet that conveyed protection against coronary heart disease by lowering plasma total cholesterol levels. Later, the emphasis shifted away from the low-saturated-fat content of this diet toward its high content of olive oil and its overall constellation of characteristics. Moreover, there is now evidence that the Mediterranean diet benefits not only the risk for coronary heart disease but also cancer occurrence, total mortality, and longevity.

Connexin37 1019 gene polymorphism in myocardial infarction patients and centenarians

2007

The short die young: the interrelationship between stature and longevity-evidence from skeletal remains.

2005

It has long been observed that tall people display longer life spans. The current data were employed to verify this association within the bioarchaeological context. To this end, stature and its association with age-at-death were analyzed in a pooled sample of 2,923 skeletons. Height was estimated from proxy indicators based on the maximum length of the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia. Stature estimation followed the procedure outlined by Pearson ([1899] Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. [A] 192:169-244), incorporating minor modifications by Rosing ([ 1988] Handbuch der vergleichenden Biologie des Menschen; Stuttgart: Gustave Fischer, p 586-600). Individual age estimates were classified into t…

Multimorbidity and anxiety symptoms among adults aged 50 years and over from six low- and middle-income countries

2021

Currently, there are limited data on the association between multimorbidity (i.e., ≥ 2 chronic conditions) and anxiety, especially among the older population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between multimorbidity and anxiety symptoms in a large sample of adults aged ≥ 50 years from six LMICs (China, India, Ghana, Mexico, Russia, South Africa). Cross-sectional, nationally representative, community-based data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analysed. A total of 11 chronic physical conditions were assessed. Anxiety symptoms referred to extreme/severe problems with worry or anxiety in the…

Sex-specific effects of natural and sexual selection on the evolution of life span and ageing in Drosophila simulans

2014

Summary Variation in the strength of age-dependent natural selection shapes differences in ageing rates across species and populations. Likewise, sexual selection can promote divergent patterns of senescence across the sexes. However, the effects of these processes on the evolution of ageing have largely been considered independently, and interactions between them are poorly understood. We use experimental evolution to investigate how natural and sexual selection affect life span and ageing in Drosophila simulans. Replicate populations were evolved under lifetime monogamy (relaxed sexual selection) or lifetime polyandry (elevated sexual selection) and at one of two temperatures, 25 °C (rela…

Analysis of HLA-DRB1,DQA1,DQB1 haplotypes in Sardinian centenarians

2008

Some genetic determinants of longevity might reside in those polymorphisms for the immune system genes that regulate immune responses. Many longevity association studies focused their attention on HLA (the human MHC) polymorphisms, but discordant results have been obtained. Sardinians are a relatively isolate population and represent a suitable population for association studies. Some HLA-DR and DQ alleles form very stable haplotypes with a strong linkage disequilibrium. In a previous study on Sardinian centenarians we have suggested that HLA-DRB1 *15 allele might be marginally associated to longevity. HLA-DR,DQ haplotypes are in strong linkage disequilibrium and well conserved playing a ro…