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info aging guides

BIOLOGY OF AGING

THEORIES OF AGING
An introduction to aging science brought to you by the
American Federation for Aging Research
WHAT IS A THEORY
OF AGING?

Theories of aging can be divided


into two categories: those that
answer the question Why do we
age? and those that address the
question How do we age? Only
a few broad, overarching theories
attempt to explain why we and
nearly all living organisms age.
These theories compete with each
other, making it unlikely that more
than one of them could be true.
Over time, some theories have
fallen out of favor as others have
become more widely accepted.

Other theories, more properly


called hypotheses, are smaller in
scope and address the question,
How do we age? They attempt
to explain the mechanisms that
affect how we and other species
age, and it is likely that a number
of them are simultaneously true.
Testing these hypotheses is the
current pursuit of most aging
research. Identification of the
mechanisms that affect aging
could lead to interventions that
slow or alter aging. Recent
research implies that there may be
a limited number of these mecha-
nisms, giving scientists hope that
their efforts may one day lead to
strategies that could help us lead
longer, healthier lives. Identification of the mechanisms that affect aging could lead
to interventions that slow or alter aging.
MODIFYING THE
COURSE OF AGING
However, evidence seems to be on nutritionally balanced but
A critical issue in aging research pointing to just a few fundamental sparse diets, containing 30 to
is whether aging is affected by processes as the primary culprits 40 percent fewer calories than a
one, several, or a multitude of in the scenario of aging. The best normal diet, has been shown to
underlying processes. If there are evidence lies in the existence of reliably increase the average and
hundreds of different biological single-gene mutations that affect maximum lifespans of a range
pathways that affect aging, then lifespan in experimental animals, of organisms, including worms,
odds are slim that science could as well as a well-known environ- insects, and rodents. It is currently
ever hope to devise a way of mental intervention called caloric under investigation in primates.
slowing down how we age or restriction. By itself, caloric restriction retards
even understand why aging almost all of the age-related
happens at all. Caloric restriction, in which labo- changes mice normally undergo,
ratory animals are maintained including the onset of age-related
diseases.

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Single-gene mutations that extend idea was popular for decades, called proteases. However, the
lifespan, discovered so far in Weismann later rejected it, as presence of cross-linkages inhibits
roundworms, fruit flies, and mice, do modern biologists. Evidence the activity of proteases. These
are also a powerful argument overwhelmingly shows that natural damaged and unneeded proteins,
that a finite number of pathways selection operates to affect the therefore, stick around and can
influence aging. Interestingly, the reproductive success of individuals, cause problems.
genes all seem to affect one of a not the overall survival of groups.
few biochemical pathways, such One of the main ways cross-
as energy consumption, stress Further argument against a ging linking occurs is through a
resistance, or regulation of what is as a programmed aspect of process called glycosylation or
called the insulin/IGF-1 neuroen- development, ordered by a g enetic glycation. Glucose molecules
docrine pathway. IGF stands for blueprint, lies in its v ariability. can stick to proteins, then
insulin-like growth factor. Although members of a species transform into brownish molecules
develop into adults in the same called advanced glycosylation
These findings offer hope that way, even g enetically similar or endproducts, or AGEs. When both
researchers may eventually be identical individuals, raised in of the sticky ends of AGEs adhere
able to modify the course of identical c
onditions and eating to neighboring proteins, they form
aging in humans. However, there identical food, age differently. permanent cross-links that disable
is a caveat. Animals modified Whereas one person (or mouse) the proteins functions. This is the
to live longer often show may die of heart failure, another same process that causes food to
inherent defects. Some mutant may succumb to cancer with his or brown when it is cooked.
roundworms have reduced fertility her heart functioning perfectly.
and a reduced ability to enter a Some research supports the
dormant state. Mutant Ames dwarf When scientists discovered that hypothesis that cross-linking
mice live a long time but are sterile changing just one gene in the contributes to aging. Cross-linking
and inactive. Rodents maintained roundworm, C. elegans, could of the skin protein collagen, for
on calorically restricted diets are significantly extend its lifespan, example, has proven at least
thin, cold, stunted, and sometimes some researchers argued that this partly responsible for wrinkling and
sterile. It is likely that such animals, showed aging was genetically other age-related dermal changes.
although they survive to a ripe old programmed. However, most Cross-linking of proteins in the
age in the laboratory, would never scientists now believe that over- lens of the eye is also believed to
stand a chance in the wild. stated the case: just because a play a role in age-related cataract
gene happens to affect the rate of formation. Researchers speculate
AGING IS NOT A PROGRAMMED aging does not mean that it was that cross-linking of proteins in
ASPECT OF DEVELOPMENT designed by nature to do so. The the walls of arteries or the filtering
majority of scientists now prefer systems of the kidney account for
Aging is not a programmed aspect other theories. at least some of the atheroscle-
of development. It is the deteriora- rosis (hardening of the arteries)
tion of what might be thought of THE CROSS-LINKING/ and age-related decline in kidney
as a survival program. Not long GLYCATION HYPOTHESIS function observed in older adults.
after Charles Darwin published OF AGING Another study conducted at the
his groundbreaking theory of Bjorksten Institute in Wisconsin
evolution by natural selection The cross-linking hypothesis is treated brain tissue from young
in On the Origin of Species in based on the observation that animals with known cross-link-
1859, scientists began to try to with age, our proteins, DNA, and inducing compounds. That brain
use Darwins theory to explain other structural molecules de- tissue soon looked quite similar to
aging. One of the first was August velop inappropriate attachments older brain tissue, with its naturally
Weismann, who published his or cross-links to one another. cross-linked brain proteins, adding
hypothesis in 1891. He proposed These unnecessary links or bonds evidence in support of this theory
that aging evolved to benefit decrease the mobility or elasticity of aging.
species or groups by eliminating of proteins and other molecules.
unfit animals to make room for Proteins that are damaged or Recently, scientists have found
the next generation. Although this are no longer needed are nor- evidence that glycation contributes
mally broken down by enzymes to the formation of beta-amyloid,

Infoaging Guide to Theories of Aging | 3


the protein that clumps together in THE EVOLUTIONARY A few years later, George
the brains of Alzheimers patients. SENESCENCE THEORY Williams extrapolated on this
OF AGING idea by formulating the theory of
Somewhat indirect experimental antagonistic pleiotropy. Antago-
evidence in support of the cross- The most widely accepted overall nistic pleiotropy means that some
linking theory of aging appears theory of aging is the evolutionary genes that increase the odds of
in studies that look at drugs that senescence theory of aging. Unlike successful reproduction early in
prevent cross-linking, and the the earlier programmed theory of life may have deleterious effects
impact of taking those drugs on evolution and aging, which tried to later in life. Because the genes
the various components of the find reasons why evolution might harmful effects do not appear
aging process. Studies done in favor aging, evolutionary senes- until after reproduction is over,
China and in the United Kingdom cence theory focuses on the failure they cannot be eliminated through
on the molecule carnosine are of natural selection to affect late- natural selection. An example of
provocative. Carnosine occurs life traits. antagonistic pleiotropy in humans
in very low concentrations in the is p53, a gene that directs dam-
brain and other tissues. In the Natural selection, because it oper-
ates via reproduction, can have aged cells to stop reproducing
laboratory, carnosine has been or die. The gene helps prevent
shown to delay the senescence little effect on later life. In the wild,
predation and accidents guarantee cancer in younger people, but may
or aging of human cells called be partly responsible for aging
fibroblasts. Carnosine works by that there are always more younger
individuals reproducing than older by impairing the bodys ability to
preventing cross-linking of pro- renew deteriorating tissues. Be-
teins. The more recent Chinese ones. Genes and mutations that
have harmful effects but appear cause of antagonistic pleiotropy, it
studies suggest carnosine might is likely that tinkering with genes to
be of benefit in delaying the forma- only after reproduction is over do
not affect reproductive success improve late-life fitness could have
tion of cataracts, in which cross- a detrimental effect on health at
linking is thought to play a part. and therefore can be passed on
to future generations. In 1952, younger ages.
Although many scientists agree Peter Medawar proposed that Much experimental evidence ex-
that cross-linking of proteins, and the inability of natural selection to ists to support the basic premises
perhaps the cross-linking of DNA influence late-life traits could mean of the evolutionary senescence
molecules as well, is a component that genes with detrimental late- theory of aging. For example, the
of aging, it is likely only one of sev- life effects could continue to be theory predicts that delaying the
eral mechanisms that contributes passed from generation to gen- age of reproduction should delay
to aging. eration. This theory is called the aging, as it would increase the
mutation accumulation theory.

Many scientists believe that


mitochondrial aging is an
important contributor to
aging in general.

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power of natural selection later structure of our genes that occur
in life. Experiments with fruit in our egg or sperm cells will be
flies in which younger flies were passed on to future generations, if
prevented from mating, allowing those mutations are not so poten-
only older flies to reproduce, tially disruptive as to be fatal to
confirmed this prediction. Aging our offspring. Mutations that occur
in the fruit fly population was de- in the rest of the cells of the body
layed. However, these long-lived will only affect that individual and
flies were less fertile in early life cannot be passed on to future
than normal flies, giving support generations. Most of those body
to the idea of antagonistic pleiot- cell, or somatic, mutations will
ropy. In experiments with round- be corrected and eliminated, but
worms given a gene mutation that this idea, namely, that hazard- some will not. Those will accu-
extended their lifespan, scientists ous environments favor early mulate, eventually causing the
found that these long-lived worms reproduction and short lifespans, cells to malfunction and die. This
exhibited defects, such as reduced whereas safer environments favor process, it has been suggested, is
ability to enter a protective dauer the opposite. Studying Virginia a crucial component in the aging
stage (a developmental state in opossums in South Carolina and process. This theory also encom-
which worm larvae can better Georgia, he found that animals passes a role for mitochondria, the
survive harsh conditions), de- living on a predator-free island cellular powerhouses, as impor-
layed development, and impaired aged much more slowly and repro- tant factors in aging. Mitochondria
reproduction. duced later than opossums on the create damaging free radicals as
more dangerous mainland. a by-product of normal energy
In the 1970s, Thomas Kirkwood production. Somatic mutations
added to the evolutionary biol- The disposable soma theory may
also explain why some organisms, in the DNA of the mitochondria
ogy theory of aging with his accumulate with age, increasing
disposable soma theory. He like salmon or certain kinds of
spiders, reproduce only once and free radical production, and are
believed that organisms have to associated with an age-related
balance the demands of main- then die. If the animal is likely to
die anyway before the next breed- decline in the functioning of
taining their body cells, or soma, mitochondria. Many scientists
and reproducing. Because an ing season, then natural selec-
tion would favor allocating all an believe that mitochondrial aging is
organism invests resources into an important contributor to aging
reproduction, over time mutations animals resources to reproduction,
leaving nothing for somatic main- in general.
and other cellular damage accu-
mulate in the soma because the tenance. Luckily, our bodies have repair
body cannot repair all of it. This Although many scientists believe mechanisms to take care of much
idea explains some of the disparity the evolutionary theory of aging of that damage. In fact, many
in lifespan between different needs further refinement, most scientists believe that humans
types of organisms. Species that agree that it is currently the best have long lifespans because we
are likely to die due to predation, explanation for why we and other are much better at repairing our
such as mice, invest more energy organisms age. genome than short-lived animals
in reproduction than in maintain- like mice. This is related to an evo-
ing health because an individual THE GENOME MAINTENANCE lutionary theory of aging called the
is unlikely to live long anyway. HYPOTHESIS OF AGING disposable soma theory. Defects
Humans, on the other hand, have in DNA repair seem to be directly
few predators and can therefore Damage to our DNA happens related to aging. Evidence exists
allocate more resources to repair- thousands of times every day in for the decline in DNA repair and
ing physical damage since they every cell in our body throughout the accumulation of DNA damage
will be able to reproduce over a our lives. This damage can be in several different types of cells
longer period of time. caused by oxidative free radicals, taken from elderly subjects. Elderly
mistakes in replication, or outside patients blood and skin cells have
Research conducted by Ste- environmental factors such as less capacity to repair themselves
ven Austad in the early 1990s radiation or toxins. Mutations than those from young adults.
provides interesting proof of or spontaneous changes in the Indeed, one study that looked

Infoaging Guide to Theories of Aging | 5


in white blood cells found DNA between the brain and nervous responsible for aging. However,
damage in two to four percent of system and our endocrine glands, although some late-life functional
the cells from young adults, but six which produce hormones. The changes may be linked to reduced
times more often in cells from the hypothalamus, a structure at the hormone levels, experimental
elderly. These aging white blood base of the brain, stimulates and evidence in mice from as early as
cells with their higher level of DNA inhibits the pituitary gland, often the 1960s and continuing today
damage may explain some of the called the master gland, which shows the opposite: reduction
decline in immune function associ- in turn regulates the glands of in hormones can lengthen life.
ated with aging. the body (ovaries, testes, adrenal Studies in mice whose pituitary
glands, thyroid) and how and glands were removed showed the
In addition, scientists have linked when they release their hormones mice lived longer with a delay in
Werners syndrome, a rare disease into our circulation. As we age, this age-related changes.
of premature aging, to mutations system becomes less functional,
in the WRN gene. These mutations and this can lead to high blood A flood of recent evidence has
lead to abnormalities in DNA repli- pressure, impaired sugar metabo- pinpointed this effect to one
cation and repair of DNA damage. lism, and sleep abnormalities. The area: the insulin/IGF-1 hormonal
Poor capacity for DNA repair is effects that the various hormones pathway. IGF stands for insulin-
also linked to the most prevalent our different glands produce have like growth factor, a substance
disease of aging, cancer. on different facets of aging have activated by growth hormone.
been studied extensively. Single-gene mutations in fruit
Exploring the role of DNA damage flies and the roundworm C.
and repair remains a critical area For a time, aging researchers elegans, widely studied by aging
of aging research. working in neuroendocrinology researchers, have recently been
the study of hormones regulated tied to the insulin/IGF-1 pathway.
THE NEUROENDOCRINE by the brainthought that later- In 2002, a study by French
HYPOTHESIS OF AGING life reduction of hormones, such researchers published electroni-
The neuroendocrine system refers as the reduction of estrogen that cally in Nature showed a similar
to the complex connections accompanies menopause, was effect in mice. In all the laboratory

Natural substances within our cells called antioxidants sop up and neutralize dangerous
free radicals. But those that escape this cleanup process can damage DNA, proteins, and
mitochondria.

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organisms studied, mutations that the formation of age pigments. efficient than those from the cells
reduce the amount of circulating Oxidative damage contributes to of younger people. In addition, too
IGF extend life. In many cases, many age-related diseases, such much mitochondrial damage can
however, the long-lived mutants as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, cause apoptosis, a form of cell
have defects that could potentially and Alzheimers disease. suicide.
affect their ability to survive in the
wild, possibly making the IGF-1 Many scientists focus on the Experiments attempting to reverse
pathways relationship to aging an s pecific effects of free radicals the effects of oxidative damage
example of antagonistic pleiotropy. on mitochondria, the tiny by feeding experimental animals
powerhouses of our cells that dietary antioxidants, and other
This consistency among species transform energy into useful experiments that genetically
makes scientists optimistic forms. More than 90 percent of the increase oxidative damage, have
that the insulin/IGF-1 pathway cells free radicals are produced not yielded conclusive results.
may work in a similar fashion in in the mitochondria, so they are But because oxidative damage is
humans, and may be an excellent at particular risk of damage. associated with so many of the
target for interventions that Oxidative free radicals, unless problems associated with aging
could affect aging. Interestingly, quickly neutralized by antioxidants, less efficiency of cellular systems,
this evidence flies in the face of can cause considerable damage deterioration of certain tissues,
popular support for anti-aging to the membranes of mitochon- and increased susceptibility to
treatments involving injections of dria and to mitochondrial DNA. age-associated diseasesinves-
growth hormone, which increases Scientists studied the connection tigating oxidative damage remains
circulating IGF-1. Rather than among mitochondria, oxidative one of the hottest areas of aging
prolonging life as some companies stress, and aging in fruit flies by research.
claim, such treatment may instead housing the flies in an environ-
do the opposite. A recent study ment of 100 percent oxygen. The THE RATE OF LIVING
of humans who genetically lack elevated oxygen levels cause THEORY OF AGING
an ability to use growth hormone the mitochondrial membranes to
found that these people were crimp in swirled patterns, which in The rate of living theory of aging
protected against cancer and turn decreases the lifespan of the is perhaps the oldest explanation
the development of adult-onset insects from two months to about of aging. Ancient philosophers
diabetes. a week. believed that we possess a
finite amount of some vital
THE OXIDATIVE DAMAGE/ The injury caused by free radicals substance. When that substance
FREE RADICAL HYPOTHESIS initiates a self-perpetuating cycle is consumed, we die. Philosophers
OF AGING in which oxidative damage impairs even argued that each person
mitochondrial function, which had only a finite, predetermined
Oxidative free radicals are one of results in the generation of even number of breaths or heartbeats,
the toxic byproducts of normal cell greater amounts of free radicals. and that once they were used,
metabolism. Natural substances Although mitochondria have some death ensued.
within our cells called antioxidants capacity to repair their DNA, these
sop up and neutralize these dan- repair mechanisms may not be as In the 20th century, scientists
gerous free radicals. But those effective as those used to repair proposed a new twist on this
that escape this cleanup process damage to DNA in the nucleus. In old theory: energy consumption
can damage DNA, proteins, and addition, evidence shows that the limits longevity. In other words,
mitochondria. This damage, called ability of mitochondria to repair an organisms metabolic rate
oxidative damage, accumulates DNA damage declines with age. determines its lifespan. This idea
over time. Some fruit fly studies Why this occurs is not known. was consistent with the discovery
suggest that oxidative damage is that reactive oxygen species (free
one of the direct causes of aging. Over time, the affected mitochon- radicals), a byproduct of normal
dria become so inefficient they metabolism, can damage cells and
Proponents of the free-radical are unable to generate sufficient contribute to aging. Experiments in
hypothesis of aging note that free energy to meet cellular demands. cold-blooded organisms showed
radicals can cause DNA damage, Mitochondria from the cells of that their lifespan was inversely
the cross-linking of proteins, and older individuals tend to be less related to the temperature they

Infoaging Guide to Theories of Aging | 7


Certain skin cells produce
collagen during their younger,
reproductive years. When
they reach senescence and
can no longer divide, they
produce collagenase, an
enzyme that breaks down
collagen. Some researchers
suggest that this process
may be responsible for the
thinning and wrinkling of skin
as we age.

lived in or how active they were. size, metabolic rate, and longevity, Paul Moorhead, discovered that
More recent work with C. elegans, there are many exceptions to this many human cells have a limited
a roundworm, showed that rule. For example, small short- capacity to reproduce themselves
changing just one gene related lived mammals expend more in culture by dividing. They found
to metabolism could significantly energy per cell over their lives than that these and many other normal
extend the worms lifespan. larger long-lived animals. Also, human cells derived from fetal,
birds typically have a metabolic embryonic, or newborn tissue
On the other hand, some rate 1.5 to 2.0 times as high as can undergo between 40 and 60
experimental evidence has shown similar-sized mammals, yet they cell divisions, but then can divide
no clear relationship between live on average about three times no more. This number is often
temperature and longevity. as long. These broad patterns are referred to as the Hayflick Limit.
Experiments in fruit flies have clearly inconsistent with the rate of
shown that temperature either has living theory. Most scientists today believe
no effect, or the opposite effect. that what determines the Hayflick
For example, a 1997 experiment Modern scientists have now Limit for dividing human cells is
showed that briefly exposing fruit rejected the rate of living theory as the length of a cells telomeres.
flies to elevated temperature could being a valid overall explanation Telomeres can be pictured as
actually slow aging for several for why we and most other species protective caps on the ends
weeks. Scientists now believe age. However, oxidative damage of chromosomes. Each time a
that although metabolic rate can is still considered one of several cell divides, it must first double
affect aging, that doesnt mean mechanisms contributing to the its chromosomes, so that each
that it always does so. Caloric aging process, and numerous daughter cell receives a full
restriction, the only intervention aging researchers are pursuing complement of genetic material.
known to extend life in mammals, research in this area. But each time a chromosome
does so without reducing the reproduces itself, it loses a small
animals metabolic rate. In addi- THE REPLICATIVE bit of its telomeres. Oxidative
tion, experimentally boosting an SENESCENCE HYPOTHESIS damage can also shorten telo-
animals metabolic rate does not OF AGING meres. When a cells telomeres
always reduce longevity. And even have reached a critically short
though there is a rough correlation Fifty years ago, Dr. Leonard length, after 40 to 60 population
among species between body Hayflick and his colleague, Dr. doublings in young human cells,

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the cell can no longer replicate its onsequence remain a key focus
c aged cells which could turn into
chromosomes and thus will stop of aging research. As normal cells cancer. Yet more recent research,
dividing. These cells with short- approach the end of their ability led by Dr. Judith Campisi of the
ened telomeres become senes- to divide, they incur hundreds Lawrence Berkeley National
cent in the sense that although of biological changes that affect Laboratory, implies that cellular
they do not die, they can no longer virtually all of their activities. Many senescence, while it may be
divide. of these changes are similar, if not protective against cancer in early
identical, to the kinds of changes life, may actually contribute to
For quite a while, scientists that we see occurring in aging the development of cancer later
believed that telomere shortening humans themselves. Thus, the in life. She studied senescent
held the answer to human aging. study of cellular senescence con- human fibroblasts, a variety of skin
They thought that it was a sort tinues to provide important clues cell. She found that these senes-
of cellular clock that might to the aging process at the most cent fibroblasts have the effect
govern aging. However, there are fundamental levelthe cell. of stimulating other skin cells
some problems with this idea. In that are precancerous or already
humans, not all types of tissue For example, certain skin cells cancerous to proliferate. They do
contains actively replicating cells. produce collagen during their not stimulate normal cells to prolif-
Brain cells are one example. younger, reproductive years. erate. This relationship is another
Muscles cells of the heart are When they reach senescence example of antagonistic pleiotropy,
another example. Telomere short- and can no longer divide, they or early life benefits trading off
ening is also not universal among produce collagenase, an enzyme against unhealthy effects later
species. The cells of flies and that breaks down collagen. Some in life, an important component
roundworms, for example, do not researchers suggest that this of the evolutionary senescence
replicate very much. And in mice, process may be responsible for theory of aging.
telomeres are routinely lengthened the thinning and wrinkling of skin
by an enzyme called telomerase, as we age. Short telomeres themselves are
which is rare in humans in non- also associated with aging. Some
cancerous cells. Scientists have Some scientists also speculate research has found shorter telo-
concluded that while telomeres that the growth arrest associated meres in patients suffering from
and senescence may contrib- with replicative or reproductive cancer, or found a correlation
ute to human aging, they do not senescence may retard the between telomere length and
govern it. Very interesting recent regeneration or repair of damaged lifespan. Research has found that
experiments find that mice ge- tissue, which could play a role when telomeres become short,
netically engineered to accelerate in the aging of the body. Cellular they can break, occasionally
telomere shortening show signs senescence is also related to prompting inappropriate r esponses
of accelerated aging and mice cancer, one of the most common from DNA repair mechanisms. This
engineered to maintain telomere age-related diseases, in two ways. can cause chromosomal damage
length show signs of slowed ag- In young adulthood, the major role or cell death, both of which may
ing. The role of telomere biology in of cellular senescence may be contribute to age-related diseases
aging is clearly complex and as a stopping the replication of dam- and conditions.

American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) Websites:


55 West 39th Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10018 www.afar.org
www.beeson.org
Phone: (212) 703-9977 www.geriatricsrecruitment.org
Toll-free: (888) 582-2327
Fax: (212) 997-0330
Email: info@afar.org

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