THE THEORIES OF AGING: REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND WHAT ELSE?

This manuscript is a short review on the theories of aging, focusing mainly on the balance between the nutrient and the oxygen intake necessary for energy metabolism and the processes for neutralizing the negative consequences of energy production. The first section entitled “Why” provides brief historical details regarding the main group of aging theories, firstly the evolutionary theories and secondly the theories of aging related to humans, cells and biomolecules are discussed. The second section entitled ‘Where’ includes brief summaries of the many cellular levels at which aging damage can occur: replicative senescence with its genetic and epigenetic implications, cytoplasmic accumulation, mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction, peroxisome and membrane activity. In the third section entitled ‘How’ the linking mechanisms between the caloric restriction and the antioxidant intake on lifespan and aging in experimental models are discussed. The role of ROS is evaluated in relation to the mitochondria, the AMPK activated sirtuins, the hormesis, the target of rapamicin and the balance autophagy/apoptosis.