Redox theory of aging: implications for health and disease

Abstract

Genetics ultimately defines an individual, yet the phenotype of an adult is extensively determined by the sequence of lifelong exposures, termed the exposome. The redox theory of aging recognizes that animals evolved within an oxygen-rich environment, which created a critical redox interface between an organism and its environment. Advances in redox biology show that redox elements are present throughout metabolic and structural systems and operate as functional networks to support the genome in adaptation to environmental resources and challenges during lifespan. These principles emphasize that physical and functional phenotypes of an adult are determined by gene–environment interactions from early life onward. The principles highlight the critical nature of cumulative exposure memories in defining changes in resilience progressively during life. Both plasma glutathione and cysteine systems become oxidized with aging, and the recent finding that cystine to glutathione ratio in human plasma predicts death in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients suggests this could provide a way to measure resilience of redox networks in aging and disease. The emerging concepts of cumulative gene–environment interactions warrant focused efforts to elucidate central mechanisms by which exposure memory governs health and etiology, onset and progression of disease.

L-Glutamine Supplementation Improves the Benefits of Combined-Exercise Training on Oral Redox Balance and Inflammatory Status in Elderly Individuals

“…Nevertheless, regular (moderate) exercises, following the well-accepted redox hormesis principle, has been argued as a nonpharmacological intervention to promote health in many human subgroups, including the elderly population, as shown here [69].…”

Effect of resveratrol and pterostilbene on aging and longevity

“…Numerous research studies suggest that oxidative stress has an important role in the process of aging. Accumulation of oxidative damage to cell and tissue over the lifespan leads to aging . Several evidences show that antioxidant supplements including resveratrol, are useful in delaying the aging process .…”

Mitochondria and aging: A role for the mitochondrial transition pore?

“…More particularly, the oxidation of thiol functions and cysteine residues, which is an important mechanism regulating protein structure, was reported on proteins described to be involved in the formation of the pore or in the regulation of its opening, such as ANT (Costantini et al., 2000; Halestrap, Woodfield, & Connern, 1997), CypD (Nguyen et al., 2011), ATP synthase (Wang, Murray, Chung, & Van Eyk, 2013), or complex I of the respiratory chain (Chouchani et al., 2013). As both glutathione and cysteine systems become oxidized during aging (Go & Jones, 2017), this can contribute to mPTP opening. For instance, ANT contains three redox‐sensitive cysteines that are particularly prone to oxidation during aging (Yan & Sohal, 1998).…”