The mitochondrial free radical theory of aging (MFRTA) proposes that aging is caused by damage to macromolecules from mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is based on the observed association of the rate of aging and the aged phenotype with the generation of ROS and with oxidative damage. The theory has led to the strong conviction in the general public that the consumption of antioxidants is crucial to health and beneficial to lifespan. However, a variety of recent findings convincingly demonstrate that ROS generation and oxidative damage cannot be the cause of aging. Here we propose that ROS play a role in mediating a stress response to agedependent damage, which could generate the observed correlation between aging and ROS without implying that ROS cause aging.
Redefining our understanding of the relationship between ROS and agingMitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a type of molecule that includes free radicals such as superoxide. ROS spontaneously oxidize and damage macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Cells and organisms are said to be sustaining oxidative stress when an imbalance between ROS generation and detoxification or repair leads to an increase in the level of ROS-dependent damage. The mitochondrial free radical theory of aging (MFRTA) has provided an attractive framework that integrates numerous observations about the generation, the toxicity and the detoxification of ROS, as well as about how these parameters change with the physiological state of cells and organisms and with chronological age. The theory proposes that aging is actually caused by the toxicity of ROS through a vicious cycle in which ROS damage to the constituents of mitochondria leads to the generation of more ROS. The theory is based on numerous observations, including (1) that there is a strong correlation between chronological age and the level of ROS generation and oxidative damage, (2) that mitochondrial function is gradually lost during aging, (3) that inhibition of mitochondrial function can enhance ROS production, and (4) that several age-dependent diseases are associated with severe increases in oxidative stress.The strength of the MFRTA is that it provides a framework for many observations while also stating a plausible causal theory of aging. Furthermore, it provided a clear research program by proposing a theory to be tested as well as by suggesting that decreasing the generation of ROS will result in health benefits. In fact the MFRTA is often taught in textbooks and in *