Molecular gerontology: from homeodynamics to hormesis.

The science and study of the biological basis of aging, biogerontology, is now a well-established field with solid scientific base. A paradigm-shift in gerontology has occurred by realising the fact that biological aging occurs in spite of the presence of complex homeodynamic pathways of maintenance, repair and defence, and there is no "enemy within". This viewpoint separates the modulation of aging from the treatment of one or more age-related diseases. A promising strategy in biogerontology is to slow down aging and to extend healthspan by hormetin-mediated hormesis. Physical, nutritional and mental hormetins, which initiate stress responses and strengthen the homeodynamics, are potentially effective aging modulators. As a biomedical issue, the biological process of aging underlies all major diseases, and while the optimal treatment of every disease is a social and moral necessity, preventing the onset of agerelated diseases by intervening in the basic process of aging is the best approach for designing novel pharmaceutical interventions.