Abstract
Neural tissue is one of the main oxygen consumers in the mammalian body, and a plentitude of metabolic as well as signaling processes within the brain is accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species. Besides the important signaling roles, both ROS and RNS can damage/modify the self-derived cellular components thus promoting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. While previously, the latter processes were thought to progress linearly with age, newer data point to midlife as a critical turning point. Here, we describe (i) the main pathways leading to ROS/RNS generation within the brain, (ii) the main defense systems for their neutralization and (iii) summarize the recent literature about considerable changes in the energy/ROS homeostasis as well as activation state of the brain’s immune system at midlife. Finally, we discuss the role of calorie restriction as a readily available and cost-efficient antiaging and antioxidant lifestyle intervention.
Highlights
Living organisms are open thermodynamic systems, critically relying on their energy metabolism for the maintenance of structural integrity and function
Consistent with this, our results show a gradual decline in Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase activity with age in brain mitochondria of ad libitum fed mice [24]
The antioxidant system, comprising low molecular mass antioxidants and high molecular mass antioxidants such as enzymes and others, protects cells from potential damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS)
Summary
Living organisms are open thermodynamic systems, critically relying on their energy metabolism for the maintenance of structural integrity and function. Besides producing energy-reach substrates, the energy homeostasis generates potentially damaging side products such as ROS in the respiratory chain and methylglyoxal in glycolysis. Besides the damaging effects, at physiological concentrations mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS play important signaling roles in multiple ofcellular processes, including inflammation, cellular growth and differentiation [9,10,11,12]. Besides the damaging effects, at physiyoung organism ological copes concentrations with oxidative modifications of biomolecules but gradually loses mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS play important signaling roles multiple cellular processes, including inflammation, cellular growth and differentiation this ability duringinaging. Whether ROS effects are beneficial or detrimental depends on the balance between a decreased efficiency of ATP production and the concomitant activation of the immune. We discuss the interplay between the energy and redox metabolism of the brain and its immune system along the lifespan and focus on middle age as a critical point for the reorganization of energy and redox homeostasis as well as the operation of the brain’s immune system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
