-
Aging Cell Aug 2022Although chronological age correlates with various age-related diseases and conditions, it does not adequately reflect an individual's functional capacity, well-being,... (Review)
Review
Although chronological age correlates with various age-related diseases and conditions, it does not adequately reflect an individual's functional capacity, well-being, or mortality risk. In contrast, biological age provides information about overall health and indicates how rapidly or slowly a person is aging. Estimates of biological age are thought to be provided by aging clocks, which are computational models (e.g., elastic net) that use a set of inputs (e.g., DNA methylation sites) to make a prediction. In the past decade, aging clock studies have shown that several age-related diseases, social variables, and mental health conditions associate with an increase in predicted biological age relative to chronological age. This phenomenon of age acceleration is linked to a higher risk of premature mortality. More recent research has demonstrated that predicted biological age is sensitive to specific interventions. Human trials have reported that caloric restriction, a plant-based diet, lifestyle changes involving exercise, a drug regime including metformin, and vitamin D3 supplementation are all capable of slowing down or reversing an aging clock. Non-interventional studies have connected high-quality sleep, physical activity, a healthy diet, and other factors to age deceleration. Specific molecules have been associated with the reduction or reversal of predicted biological age, such as the antihypertensive drug doxazosin or the metabolite alpha-ketoglutarate. Although rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate these initial findings, existing data suggest that aging clocks are malleable in humans. Additional research is warranted to better understand these computational models and the clinical significance of lowering or reversing their outputs.
Topics: Aging; Caloric Restriction; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Life Style
PubMed: 35778957
DOI: 10.1111/acel.13664 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jul 2023Diet may influence biological aging and the discrepancy (∆age) between a subject's biological age (BA) and chronological age (CA). We aimed to investigate the...
BACKGROUND
Diet may influence biological aging and the discrepancy (∆age) between a subject's biological age (BA) and chronological age (CA). We aimed to investigate the correlation of dietary flavonoids with the ∆age of organs (heart, kidney, liver) and the whole body.
METHOD
A total of 3193 United States adults were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. Dietary flavonoids intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall method. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of dietary flavonoids intake with the ∆age of organs (heart, kidney, liver) and the whole body. BA was computed based on circulating biomarkers, and the resulting ∆age was tested as an outcome in linear regression analysis.
RESULTS
The ∆age of the whole body, heart, and liver was inversely associated with higher flavonoids intake (the whole body ∆age β = - 0.58, cardiovascular ∆age β = - 0.96, liver ∆age β = - 3.19) after adjustment for variables. However, higher flavonoids intake positively related to renal ∆age (β = 0.40) in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Associations were influenced by population characteristics, such as age, health behavior, or chronic diseases. Anthocyanidins, isoflavones and flavones had the strongest inverse associations between the whole body ∆age and cardiovascular ∆age among all the flavonoids subclasses.
CONCLUSION
Flavonoids intake positively contributes to delaying the biological aging process, especially in the heart, and liver organ, which may be beneficial for reducing the long-term risk of cardiovascular or liver disease.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Flavonoids; Nutrition Surveys; Heart; Liver; Aging
PubMed: 37480074
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04321-1 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology May 2022To perform an updated Markov modeling to assess the optimal age for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at the time of hysterectomy for benign indication. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To perform an updated Markov modeling to assess the optimal age for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at the time of hysterectomy for benign indication.
METHODS
We performed a literature review that assessed hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality by disease, age, hysterectomy with or without BSO, and estrogen therapy use. Base mortality rates were derived from national vital statistics data. A Markov model from reported HRs predicted the proportion of the population staying alive to age 80 years by 1-year and 5-year age groups at time of surgery, from age 45 to 55 years. Those younger than age 50 years were modeled as either taking postoperative estrogen or not; those 50 and older were modeled as not receiving estrogen. Computations were performed with R 3.5.1, using Bayesian integration for HR uncertainty.
RESULTS
Performing salpingo-oophorectomy before age 50 years for those not taking estrogen yields a lower survival proportion to age 80 years than hysterectomy alone before age 50 years (52.8% [Bayesian CI 40.7-59.7] vs 63.5% [Bayesian CI 62.2-64.9]). At or after age 50 years, there were similar proportions of those living to age 80 years with hysterectomy alone (66.4%, Bayesian CI 65.0-67.6) compared with concurrent salpingo-oophorectomy (66.9%, Bayesian CI 64.4-69.0). Importantly, those taking estrogen when salpingo-oophorectomy was performed before age 50 years had similar proportions of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and people living to age 80 years as those undergoing hysterectomy alone or those undergoing hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy at age 50 years and older.
CONCLUSION
This updated Markov model argues for the consideration of concurrent salpingo-oophorectomy for patients who are undergoing hysterectomy at age 50 and older and suggests that initiating estrogen in those who need salpingo-oophorectomy before age 50 years mitigates increased mortality risk.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bayes Theorem; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Middle Aged; Ovariectomy; Salpingo-oophorectomy
PubMed: 35576331
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004732 -
Human Reproduction Update Sep 2020Although spontaneous miscarriage is the most common complication of human pregnancy, potential contributing factors are not fully understood. Advanced maternal age has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Although spontaneous miscarriage is the most common complication of human pregnancy, potential contributing factors are not fully understood. Advanced maternal age has long been recognised as a major risk factor for miscarriage, being strongly related with fetal chromosomal abnormalities. The relation between paternal age and the risk of miscarriage is less evident, yet it is biologically plausible that an increasing number of genetic and epigenetic sperm abnormalities in older males may contribute to miscarriage. Previous meta-analyses showed associations between advanced paternal age and a broad spectrum of perinatal and paediatric outcomes. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis on paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of paternal age on the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.
SEARCH METHODS
PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched to identify relevant studies up to August 2019. The following free text and MeSH terms were used: paternal age, father's age, male age, husband's age, spontaneous abortion, spontaneous miscarriage, abortion, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, fetal loss and fetal death. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis were followed. Original research articles in English language addressing the relation between paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage were included. Exclusion criteria were studies that solely focused on pregnancy outcomes following artificial reproductive technology (ART) and studies that did not adjust their effect estimates for at least maternal age. Risk of bias was qualitatively described for three domains: bias due to confounding, information bias and selection bias.
OUTCOMES
The search resulted in 975 original articles. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Nine of these studies were included in the quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Advanced paternal age was found to be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Pooled risk estimates for miscarriage for age categories 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 and ≥45 years of age were 1.04 (95% CI 0.90, 1.21), 1.15 (0.92, 1.43), 1.23 (1.06, 1.43) and 1.43 (1.13, 1.81) respectively (reference category 25-29 years). A second meta-analysis was performed for the subgroup of studies investigating first trimester miscarriage. This showed similar pooled risk estimates for the first three age categories and a slightly higher pooled risk estimate for age category ≥45 years (1.74; 95% CI 1.26, 2.41).
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Over the last decades, childbearing at later ages has become more common. It is known that frequencies of adverse reproductive outcomes, including spontaneous miscarriage, are higher in women with advanced age. We show that advanced paternal age is also associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Although the paternal age effect is less pronounced than that observed with advanced maternal age and residual confounding by maternal age cannot be excluded, it may have implications for preconception counselling of couples comprising an older aged male.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adult; Aged; Fathers; Female; Humans; Male; Maternal Age; Middle Aged; Paternal Age; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Care; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 32358607
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa010 -
Experimental Brain Research Sep 2022Our judgement of certain facial characteristics such as emotion, attractiveness or age, is affected by context. Faces that are flanked by younger faces, for example, are...
Our judgement of certain facial characteristics such as emotion, attractiveness or age, is affected by context. Faces that are flanked by younger faces, for example, are perceived as being younger, whereas faces flanked by older faces are perceived as being older. Here, we investigated whether contextual effects in age perception are moderated by own age effects. On each trial, a target face was presented on the screen, which was flanked by two faces. Flanker faces were either identical to the target face, were 10 years younger or 10 years older than the target face. We asked 40 older (64-69 years) and 43 younger adults (24-29) to estimate the age of the target face. Our results replicated previous studies and showed that context affects age estimation of faces flanked by target faces of different ages. These context effects were more pronounced for younger compared to older flankers but present across both tested age groups. An own-age advantage was observed for older adults for unflanked faces who had larger estimation errors for younger faces compared to older faces and younger adults. Flanker effects, however, were not moderated by own-age effects. It is likely that the increased effect of younger flankers is due to mechanisms related to perceptual averaging.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Emotions; Humans; Judgment; Perception
PubMed: 35984482
DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06411-w -
Acta Scientific Neurology Jan 2022In contrast to chronological aging, biological aging or metabolic aging is a relative age of cells and tissues and the damage they've accumulated over years. Comparison...
In contrast to chronological aging, biological aging or metabolic aging is a relative age of cells and tissues and the damage they've accumulated over years. Comparison of one's basal metabolic rate (BMR) to the average BMR of one's chronological age group gives the Metabolic age. Higher metabolic age of younger population is a serious concern and a key factor that leads to metabolic disorders in all age groups. Slower metabolism is a symbol of older age. Higher metabolic age indicates poor metabolism and higher risk of getting diseases and health complications later in life. Therefore, aging faster metabolically can severely impact chronological age. People with obesity and diabetes suffered the most due to current ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 patients with concomitant metabolic diseases had higher risk of worse prognosis and mortality. Lowering metabolic age can thus reduce the risk of getting age related health conditions and mitigate morbidities caused by pandemic like Covid-19. Therefore, maintaining healthy metabolic age in all age groups is required in the current unprecedented times. The aim of the review is to raise the prime concerns and to improve the population health outcomes by reducing the metabolic age.
PubMed: 35573983
DOI: No ID Found -
Aging and Disease Aug 2023With aging, the incidence of age-related diseases increases. Hence, age-related diseases are inevitable. However, the mechanisms by which aging leads to the onset and... (Review)
Review
With aging, the incidence of age-related diseases increases. Hence, age-related diseases are inevitable. However, the mechanisms by which aging leads to the onset and progression of age-related diseases remain unclear. It has been reported that inflammation is closely associated with age-related diseases and that the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which can sense the aberrant presence of cytosolic DNA during aging and induce an inflammatory response, is an important mediator of inflammation in age-related diseases. With a better understanding of the structure and molecular biology of the cGAS-STING signaling axis, numerous selective inhibitors and agonists targeting the cGAS-STING pathway in human age-related diseases have been developed to modulate inflammatory responses. Here, we provide a narrative review of the activity of the cGAS-STING pathway in age-related diseases and discuss its general mechanisms in the onset and progression of age-related diseases. In addition, we outline treatments targeting the cGAS-STING pathway, which may constitute a potential therapeutic alternative for age-related diseases.
PubMed: 37163421
DOI: 10.14336/AD.2023.0117 -
The International Journal of Angiology... Mar 2021Coronary artery atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture cause coronary artery disease (CAD). Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and its cell receptor RAGE,... (Review)
Review
Coronary artery atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture cause coronary artery disease (CAD). Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and its cell receptor RAGE, and soluble receptor (sRAGE) and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. AGE and its interaction with RAGE are atherogenic, while sRAGE and esRAGE have antiatherogenic effects. AGE-RAGE stress is a ratio of AGE/sRAGE. A high AGE-RAGE stress results in development and progression of CAD and vice-versa. AGE levels in serum and skin, AGE/sRAGE in patients with CAD, and expression of RAGE in animal model of atherosclerosis were higher, while serum levels of esRAGE were lower in patients with CAD compared with controls. Serum levels of sRAGE in CAD patients were contradictory, increased or decreased. This contradictory data may be due to type of patients used, because the sRAGE levels are elevated in diabetics and end-stage renal disease. AGE/sRAGE ratio is elevated in patients with reduced or elevated levels of serum sRAGE. It is to stress that AGE, RAGE, sRAGE, or esRAGE individually cannot serve as universal biomarker. AGE and sRAGE should be measured simultaneously to assess the AGE-RAGE stress. The treatment of CAD should be targeted at reduction in AGE levels, prevention of AGE formation, degradation of AGE in vivo, suppression of RAGE expression, blockade of RAGE, elevation of sRAGE, and use of antioxidants. In conclusion, AGE-RAGE stress would initiate the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Treatment modalities would prevent, regress, and slow the progression of CAD.
PubMed: 34025091
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721813 -
Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy Mar 2023Age-based rationing remains highly controversial. This question has been paramount during the Covid-19 pandemic. Analyzing the practices, proposals, and guidelines...
Age-based rationing remains highly controversial. This question has been paramount during the Covid-19 pandemic. Analyzing the practices, proposals, and guidelines applied or put forward during the current pandemic, three kinds of age-based rationing are identified: an age-based cut-off, age as a tiebreaker, and indirect age rationing, where age matters to the extent that it affects prognosis. Where age is allowed to play a role in terms of who gets treated, it is justified either because this is believed to maximize benefits from scarce resources or because it is believed to be in accordance with the value of fairness understood as (a) fair innings, where less priority is given to those who have lived a full life or (b) an egalitarian concern for the worse off. By critically assessing prominent frameworks and practices for pandemic rationing, this article considers the balance the three kinds of age-based rationing strike between maximizing benefits and fairness. It evaluates whether elements in the proposals are, in fact, contrary to the justifications of these measures. Such shortcomings are highlighted, and it is proposed to adjust prominent proposals to care for the worse off more appropriately and better consider whether the acquired benefits befalls the young or the old.
Topics: Humans; Health Care Rationing; COVID-19; Ageism; Pandemics
PubMed: 36242727
DOI: 10.1007/s11019-022-10118-8