The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of ROS: New Insights on Aging and Aging‐Related Diseases from Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Model Organisms

Abstract

Aging is associated with the accumulation of cellular damage over the course of a lifetime. This process is promoted in large part by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated via cellular metabolic and respiratory pathways. Pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and genetic interventions have been used to target cellular and mitochondrial networks in an effort to decipher aging and age-related disorders. While ROS historically have been viewed as a detrimental byproduct of normal metabolism and associated with several pathologies, recent research has revealed a more complex and beneficial role of ROS in regulating metabolism, development, and lifespan. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in ROS research, focusing on both the beneficial and harmful roles of ROS, many of which are conserved across species from bacteria to humans, in various aspects of cellular physiology. These studies provide a new context for our understanding of the parts ROS play in health and disease. Moreover, we highlight the utility of bacterial models to elucidate the molecular pathways by which ROS mediate aging and aging-related diseases.

The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide

“…The ability of GHK and its Cu chelate to promote skin remodeling, wound healing and regeneration, and its prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are qualities that will help enhance healthy aging [28][29][30][31]. In addition, the novel observation that GHK might target an epigenetic pathway further enhances its potential as an anti-aging peptide [32].…”

Sensing between reactions – how the metabolic microenvironment shapes immunity

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“…The aging-associated chronic oxidative stress and related systemic inflammation are undoubtedly among pathways most significantly contributing to cellular senescence and aging (Liguori et al, 2018). Damages in vital biomolecules, including lipids, proteins (enzymes) or nucleic acids, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals generated in mitochondria through metabolic processes are considered to be among the primary drivers of aging process (Lushchak et al, 2014;Santos et al, 2018). ROS have been repeatedly shown to be implicated in basic aging-associated processes such as telomere attrition (Barnes et al, 2019), autophagy (Pajares et al, 2018), and exhaustion of the stem-cell population (Chen et al, 2017).…”