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Can we intervene in human ageing?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2009

Richard G.A. Faragher ,
Angela N. Sheerin  and
Elizabeth L. Ostler
Richard G.A. Faragher*
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
Angela N. Sheerin
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
Elizabeth L. Ostler
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
*
*Corresponding author: Richard G.A. Faragher, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Cockcroft Building, University of Brighton, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 4GJ, UK. Tel: +44 1273 642124; Fax: +44 1273 679333; E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Ageing is a progressive failure of defence and repair processes that produces physiological frailty (the loss of organ reserve with age), loss of homeostasis and eventual death. Over the past ten years exceptional progress has been made in understanding both why the ageing process happens and the mechanisms that are responsible for it. The study of natural mutants that accelerate some, but not all, of the features of the human ageing process has now progressed to a degree that drug trials are either taking place or can be envisaged. Simultaneously, a series of mutations have been identified in different species that confer extended healthy life, indicating that the ageing process is much more malleable than might have been expected and that single interventions have the potential to delay the onset of multiple age-associated conditions. Data generated using these organisms have led to the formulation of a powerful new hypothesis, the ‘green theory’ of ageing. This proposes that a finite capacity to carry out broad-spectrum detoxification and recycling is the primary mechanistic limit on organismal lifespan. This is turn suggests important new experimental approaches and potential interventions designed to increase healthy lifespan.

Type
Review Article
Information
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine , Volume 11 , July 2009 , e27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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References

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Further reading, resources and contacts

Arking, R. (1996) The Biology of Aging: Observations and Principles (3rd edn), Oxford University Press, USAGoogle Scholar
http://www.americanaging.org/ (American Aging Association)Google Scholar
http://www.bsra.org.uk/ (British Society for Research on Ageing)Google Scholar
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http://ageaction.ncl.ac.uk/ (proceedings of AGEACTION meeting)Google Scholar
http://www.sparc.ac.uk/ (Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity)Google Scholar