Aging and DNA damage by Oxidants
The human body is in a constant battle to prevent aging.
Many of the pathological changes in diseases as well as the aging process
itself, show a link to these reactive and potentially destructive free
radicals. The mechanism of aging attributes to DNA or the accumulation
of cellular mitochondria. As the body ages, the cells struggle to recycle the
mitochondria also called the “powerhouse of the cell. Mitophagy is the process
by which the damaged mitochondria are removed. This process becomes less
efficient and the cells end up cluttered with old and poorly functioning
mitochondria. The accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria affects the health
of many tissues and muscles and also plays a role in aging. The increasing
age-related oxidative stress seems to be a consequence of the imbalance between
the free radical production and antioxidant effect. Oxidative modifications
have been shown to occur in of DNA, protein, and lipid molecules. Elevated
levels of both oxidant-damaged DNA and protein have been found in aged
organisms.
By
Dr. A. Praveena
Assistant Professor
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