X-Message-Number: 26170
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 15:43:59 -0600
From: anthony <>
Subject: theories of aging

Dear all,

I've been doing a little reading into theories of aging. I'm interested 
in anti-aging medical science and the process of aging (I'd prefer to 
not age and avoid the necessity of cryonic preservation). I believe I've 
isolated about 9 different theories from the literature:

wear and tear - important molecules incur damage and not adequately 
replaced (mitochondria can't repair DNA)

genetic mutation - occur naturally as cells function causing inefficiency

free radical - molecules with outer orbits containing odd number of 
electrons that can only become stable by gaining or losing an electron 
and tries to unite with any available molecule - effects of this often 
cause the target molecule to function improperly or not at all. 
antioxidants slow it

error catastrophe - dwindling DNA repair capacity, vital genes lost, 
proteins not synthesised or defective copies of essential proteins made

cellular clocks - (Leonard hayflick's) cell function and cell division 
have determined limits that result in dysfunction. with each cell 
division the sequence of chromosome "telomeres" is reduced at a fixed rate.

neuroendocrine - programmed changes in hormone secretion and levels 
linked to aging

immune system - loses its ability to recognise host tissues, resulting 
in rejection of own tissues

waste accumulation - at a cellular level, like lipofuscin - though not 
yet shown to impede functioning, even in large amounts

cross-linking - collagen proteins (cellular glue) in the shape of 
ladders connect with each other by forming linking "rungs" that makes 
tissues less pliable and may prevent normal cell metabolism, or damage 
DNA eventually causing cell death


Does anyone have the inclination to elaborate on any of these theories, 
or correct any errors I may have made in try to define these theoretical 
territories? Any comments on which theory/ies seem most likely to be true?

Thanks,
Anthony

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