Abstract
In a world with an increasing aging population, a proper understanding of the biology of the aging process could be of economic and social significance for governments, in order to guarantee a long but productive life for the elderly. In this regard, studies about the relationship between changes in chromatin organization and aging are pivotal, since it has been widely accepted that the aging process can be genetically driven. Several studies have shown that aging is associated with changes in gene expression and chromatin structure, and that in many cases, including diseases; such phenotypes can be pharmacologically altered in order to reestablish homeostasis. Therefore, the objective of this review was to analyze what has been published in this subject from a historical perspective, and to discuss what can be concluded from those results with its impact in human health.
Highlights
Life expectancy is growing steadily all over the world, mainly in almost every country, as a result of good health policies and socioeconomic development
Several biochemical changes lead to the loss of function and proliverative capacity, arrest of the cell cycle and replicative senescence
The process of cellular senescence contributes to the organismal aging, due to the decrease in proliferative capacity and consequent tissue loss of function [1]
Summary
Life expectancy is growing steadily all over the world, mainly in almost every country, as a result of good health policies and socioeconomic development. According to data from the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/kobe_centre/ageing/en/), by 2050, about 400 million people in the world are expected to be 80 years or more. In a brilliant graphic posted by Sally Squires and Brenna Maloney in the 2006’s December 5th edition of the Washington Post, Todd Linderman summarized how several tissues and organs of the human body age. It includes detrimental changes in skin, muscles, bones, joints and cartilages, senses, heart, neural tissue, stomach, as well as body strength and height. The process of cellular senescence contributes to the organismal aging, due to the decrease in proliferative capacity and consequent tissue loss of function [1]. It is necessary to guarantee that all people ages healthy and be able to maintain a normal and active life longer than our ancestors did
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