Rattan Suresh I S
Department of Molecular Biology, University of Aarhus, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, DK8000 Aarhus-C, Denmark.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Oct;1114:1-10. doi: 10.1196/annals.1396.044.
Healthy aging and longevity depend on successful and dynamic interactions among biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Biological aging occurs mainly during the period of survival beyond the evolutionarily required essential lifespan (ELS). Natural selection processes for survival and successful reproduction have selected for a range of genetically determined ELS-assuring maintenance and repair systems (MRSs). The progressive failure of MRSs, and the consequent accumulation of molecular heterogeneity and damage, underlie the biological basis of aging, age-related diseases, and eventual death. However, the genetic processes of MRSs operate in a complex hierarchy of factors which range from intracellular molecular factors to physiological, psychological, environmental, and other stochastic factors, including chance. This view also facilitates setting up a framework for understanding, researching, and developing effective and realistic strategies for aging intervention, prevention, and therapies. Manipulating genes and the milieu in which genes and gene products operate opens up novel possibilities of aging intervention and prevention. Gene therapy, stem cells, and modulation through functional foods, nutriceuticals, cosmeceuticals and lifestyle alterations, including mild stress-induced hormesis, are examples of such strategies at various levels of development and practice.
健康老龄化和长寿取决于生物、心理和环境因素之间成功且动态的相互作用。生物衰老主要发生在超越进化所需基本寿命（ELS）的生存期间。为生存和成功繁殖而进行的自然选择过程选择了一系列由基因决定的确保ELS的维持和修复系统（MRSs）。MRSs的逐渐失效以及随之而来的分子异质性和损伤的积累，构成了衰老、与年龄相关疾病以及最终死亡的生物学基础。然而，MRSs的遗传过程在一个复杂的因素层次结构中起作用，这些因素从细胞内分子因素到生理、心理、环境和其他随机因素，包括偶然性。这种观点也有助于建立一个框架，用于理解、研究和制定有效的、现实的衰老干预、预防和治疗策略。操纵基因以及基因和基因产物发挥作用的环境，为衰老干预和预防开辟了新的可能性。基因治疗、干细胞以及通过功能性食品、营养保健品、药妆品和生活方式改变（包括轻度应激诱导的兴奋效应）进行调节，都是处于不同发展和实践水平的此类策略的例子。
