Theory of aging

GLycation theory of aging

Dr. Anthony Cerami , a medical researcher and member of the National Academy of Sciences, published the " Glycation theory of aging" in 1985. It accounts for the reactions between proteins and sugars in the body eventually form a class of compounds called " advanced glycation end products" or AGEs for short . AGEs can damage other proteins as well as DNA and RNA. A change was occurred due to abnormal bonds between adjacent protein strands, it was called " cross-linking" . Cross-linked proteins are deformed and they were less able to perform their normal functions. It is cross-linking that makes the proteins in the lens of the eye turn opaque to form a cataract . These proteins also explain why the wrinkling and sagging of old skin appear. These kinds of proteins in blood vessels are the basis of arteriosclerosis -hardening of the arteries. If present in the brain they may contribute to the development of neurogenerative diseases like ALS, Parkinson's , and Alzheimer's

Moreover , both AGEs and cross-linked proteins can initiate inflammatory and autoimmune responses and stimulate cells to proliferate, all of which can lead to further damage. It means that many progressive diseases of aging , like hypertension , kidney disease , retinopathy , osteoarthritis and , of course, all the complications of diabetes will occur over time gradually

So what is the solution to deal with it ?

From long ago, Aspirin has been considering as a cross-link breakers. It has its long- term health benefits, including reduced risk of cataracts and certain cancers...

Another in this group is pimagedine currently in clinical trials as a new treatment for diabetic nephropathy-the chronic kidney disease that is often a complication of diabetes

Understanding the knowledge of biopathology, we hope a promising area of drug development focuses on cross-link breakers and we will have more drugs to solve the age-related diseases