Epigenetic and redox biomarkers: Novel insights from the MARK-AGE study

Abstract

Ageing is a multifactorial process that affects most, if not all, of the body's tissues and organs and can be defined as the accumulation of physical and psychological changes in a human being over time. The rate of ageing differs between individuals of the same chronological age, meaning that 'biological age' of a person may be different from 'chronological age'. Furthermore, ageing represents a very potent risk factor for diseases and disability in humans. Therefore, establishment of markers of biological ageing is important for preventing age-associated diseases and extending health span. MARK-AGE, a large-scale European study, aimed at identifying a set of biomarkers which, as a combination of parameters with appropriate weighting, would measure biological age better than any marker in isolation. But beyond the identification of useful biomarkers, MARK-AGE provided new insights in age-associated specific cellular processes, such as DNA methylation, oxidative stress and the regulation of zinc homeostasis.

Gender- and age-dependencies of oxidative stress, as detected based on the steady state concentrations of different biomarkers in the MARK-AGE study

“…This communication presents refined analyses of the recent investigation on the age-dependency of OS in a large cohort of middle-aged subjects enrolled in the cross-sectional MARK-AGE Project. This consortium, funded by the European Commission, already yielded better understanding of OS, based on different biomarkers measured in one large age-stratified cohort [[13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]].…”

Reduced sialyl-Lewisxon salivary MUC7 from patients with burning mouth syndrome

“…Aging changes the immune system 10 and different individuals age in a different rate, leading to that the biological age of a person may be different from the chronological age. 11 Salivary glycoproteins such as mucins are the major components in saliva. Mucins aid in the maintenance of physical and functional integrity of normal mucosa.…”

HIV-1 and Compromised Adult Neurogenesis: Emerging Evidence for a New Paradigm of HAND Persistence

“…To assess all of these current risk factors, several biomarkers are currently being evaluated for their reliability in accurately diagnosing the stages of HAND 13 . Biomarkers for immune activation include elevated plasma and CSF levels of sCD163, sCD14, interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), MMP2, MCP1, osteopontin, and fractalkine 14,15 . Additional CSF biomarkers for HAND include molecules involved in cellular metabolisms, such as CSF TCA cycle substrates, fatty acids, and triglycerides 5,10,16 .…”