School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
Biogerontology. 2013 Feb;14(1):21-45. doi: 10.1007/s10522-012-9406-3. Epub 2012 Oct 26.
Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter, which is phylogenetically conserved in a wide range of species from nematodes to humans. In mammals, age-related changes in serotonin systems are known risk factors of age-related diseases, such as diabetes, faecal incontinence and cardiovascular diseases. A decline in serotonin function with aging would be consistent with observations of age-related changes in behaviours, such as sleep, sexual behaviour and mood all of which are linked to serotonergic function. Despite this little is known about serotonin in relation to aging. This review aims to give a comprehensive analysis of the distribution, function and interactions of serotonin in the brain; gastrointestinal tract; skeletal; vascular and immune systems. It also aims to demonstrate how the function of serotonin is linked to aging and disease pathology in these systems. The regulation of serotonin via microRNAs is also discussed, as are possible applications of serotonergic drugs in aging research and age-related diseases. Furthermore, this review demonstrates that serotonin is potentially involved in whole organism aging through its links with multiple organs, the immune system and microRNA regulation. Methods to investigate these links are discussed.
血清素是一种单胺神经递质,在从线虫到人类的广泛物种中具有系统发生上的保守性。在哺乳动物中,与年龄相关的血清素系统变化是与年龄相关疾病(如糖尿病、粪便失禁和心血管疾病)的已知风险因素。随着年龄的增长,血清素功能的下降与行为相关的年龄变化是一致的,例如睡眠、性行为和情绪,所有这些都与血清素能功能有关。尽管如此,人们对与衰老有关的血清素知之甚少。这篇综述旨在全面分析血清素在大脑、胃肠道、骨骼、血管和免疫系统中的分布、功能和相互作用。它还旨在展示血清素的功能如何与这些系统中的衰老和疾病病理相关联。本文还讨论了通过 microRNAs 对血清素的调节,以及在衰老研究和与年龄相关的疾病中使用血清素能药物的可能性。此外,本综述表明,通过与多个器官、免疫系统和 microRNA 调节的联系,血清素可能参与整个生物体的衰老。本文还讨论了研究这些联系的方法。