The free radical theory of aging
The free radical theory of aging
Dr.Denham Herman a scientific researcher who proposed the 'free radical theory of aging' in the year 1956.according to this theory the process of aging is due to oxidative damage of cell organelles and other cytoplasmic contents by free radicals. intially it was assumed that the free radicals such as ROS(reactive oxygen species) produced during normal respiratory process.The free radical theory got more attention when researchers studied the cause of cancer ,Alzheimer disease,and heart diseases .This theory realises that old age is just another disease,our old age is starting when mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) get damaged by free radicals.1970s many scientist involved in Reserch related to this theory and in 1980 J.Miquel clearly explained the mitochondrial involvement in the production of free radicals,the theory is known as mitochondrial theory of free radicals.
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| Cell structure |
Mitochondria(mitochondrion-singular)
Mitochondria are tiny cellular organelles which are freely distributed in cytoplasm,they are covered with two membranes.The outer membrane is a double phospholipid layer,it covers and protects the inner part of the organelle and the inner one folded many times and forms structures called cristae,the fluid filled inner space of the organelle is called matrix.mitochondria has its own DNA(mtDNA)and ribosomes. mitochondria are often called as power houses of cell,they produce energy and stored in it.The energy that released from metabolic activities are using to convert ADP(adenosine diphosphate)to ATP(adenosine triphospate),when energy utilised ATP will change to ADP.More mitochondria are present in such cells which need more energy,for example muscle cells contain more mitochondria because it needed more energy for muscular activities,the Neuron has the least numer of mitochondria because it's function is to conduct electric impulses to and fro from central nervous system and deferent parts of the body,it need not much energy to work,and RBC( red blood corpacells)has no mitochondria because it need no extra energy to perform it's function,it work as oxygen carriers,the haemoglobin present in the RBC capable of doing the work.Most of the metabolic process is done inside mitochondria with the help of oxygen,this process is also called cellular respiration.
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| internal view |
Free radicals
Free radicals are atoms or molecules with one unpared electron,in other words they are charged atoms or molecules.They are unstable and highly reactive,it pull out an electron from adjacent atoms or molecule to attain stability,the atom or molecule where the free radical pulled out electron became unstable and act as free free radical it will attack another and this process will continue,finally the whole cell may damage this process is called chain reaction.Initially ROS (reactive oxygen species)is termed as free radicals but later RNS(reactive nitrogen species) radicals are also found involving in oxidatative damage to cells and tissues.Both species consist of a number of free radicals and non radicals,non radicals also make damage to our body,some of the radicals and non radicals are giving below,
Super oxide....................O2*-
Pyroxyl...........................ROO* (general code),eg;(HOO*)
Hydrogen peroxide.........H2O2
Ozone................................O3
Hypoclorous acid............... Hocl
Nitric oxide........................NO*(RNS)
Nitrosyl anion......................NO-
Nitrosil cation......................NO+
Nytryl chloride ....................NO2cl
Nitrous acid.....................HNO2
Peroxynitric acid..................ONOOH
√ scientist considered the free radical theory as one of many reasons of aging.
√ scientists compared the life span of parrots with same sized birds the quails,the ROS production in heart,liver,erythrocytes, muscle etc are very similar in both birds species,but parrots live 5_7 times more than the quails,feeding habit of both birds are different,parrots eat fruits,seeds etc,while quails eat grains insects etc 80% of its food is carbohydrate. If you give same meals for both birds,the result is same,the parrots live longer,this experiment cannot explain on the basis of oxidative stress theory
Super oxide....................O2*-
Pyroxyl...........................ROO* (general code),eg;(HOO*)
Hydrogen peroxide.........H2O2
Ozone................................O3
Hypoclorous acid............... Hocl
Nitric oxide........................NO*(RNS)
Nitrosyl anion......................NO-
Nitrosil cation......................NO+
Nytryl chloride ....................NO2cl
Nitrous acid.....................HNO2
Peroxynitric acid..................ONOOH
The antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that are able to neutralise free radicals by donating an electron,eg ; vitaminC, vitaminE,beta-carotene,etc.
Age related mascular degeneration can be treated by vitaminC,beta-carotene, and zinc to some extent,complete relief is not possible.study shows that skin cancer patients get significant reduction in cancer when treated with selinium.Anti oxident rich food such as fruits and vegetables can diminish oxidative stress and increase life span.once Dr.Denham Herman said 'accept the fact that you are not going to live fore ever but there is possibility if you work at it,you might make 100'. Herman used to eat vitamin rich diets and he died at the age of 98.
Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress is an imbalence of free radicals and antioxidants in the body,body produced a small amount of antioxidants the rest is absorbed from food,vegetables and fruits are good sources of antioxidants and also the regular excersice is good for avoiding oxidative stress,but it increases the formation of free radical the result is temperaly oxidative stress,however the free radical formed in muscles stimulate the production of antioxidants in the tissue.
Challenges
√ our immune system producing free radicals,WBC producing free radicals that used to kill micro organisms that enter in our body.√ scientist considered the free radical theory as one of many reasons of aging.
√ scientists compared the life span of parrots with same sized birds the quails,the ROS production in heart,liver,erythrocytes, muscle etc are very similar in both birds species,but parrots live 5_7 times more than the quails,feeding habit of both birds are different,parrots eat fruits,seeds etc,while quails eat grains insects etc 80% of its food is carbohydrate. If you give same meals for both birds,the result is same,the parrots live longer,this experiment cannot explain on the basis of oxidative stress theory
Conclusion
The free radical theory failed in a number of scientific observation and even some sources said the theory is flavoured.however the cause of many degenerative diseases such as cancer,old age heart diseases, Alzheimer,atherosclerosis, and other chronic conditions found on the basis of this theory.Diet restriction can increase life span,this is scientifically proved and nobody question about it.There are many limitation to conduct experiment on this theory,the free radicals formed in our body will disappear within fraction of seconds,it will react with other molecules or atoms.Only way is to check the oxidative damage of DNA,proteins, lipids, connective tissues etc,there are various testing tool kits available in the market for this purpose.
Special information
l started this blog recently, hardly one and a half month ago,today I am happy to infom all of my readers that this blog is selected for top Feedspot top 20 biotech.blog and they provided visitors to my blog, my sincere thanks to feedspot.com and it's founder Mr.Anuj agarwal.
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