Senile Features Research Articles

Synergistic Effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG in the Prevention of Physiological Brain Aging

The benefits of multi-target action are well established in a variety of pathological models. Many dietary supplements and nutraceuticals may be useful to slow age-related cognitive declines and the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. L-Carnosine and EGCG are natural compounds that have received particular attention because of their potential role in modulating oxidative stress associated with aging and chronic conditions. The biological activities of these naturally occurring substances have frequently been used to prevent or reduce senile features; however they have never been evaluated as a combined treatment. In the present study we investigated the combined effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG on the activation of two stress-responsive pathways: HO-1 and Hsp72 (the inducible form of Hsp70), which play an important role in cytoprotection against oxidative stress-induced cell damage. We demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects of EGCG and L-Carnosine are achieved through the modulation of HO-1/Hsp72 systems. Furthermore, the combined action of both compounds resulted in a synergistic increase of HO-1 expression which suggests a crosstalk between the HO-1 and the Hsp72-mediated pathways. Our results indicate that the combined administration of EGCG and L-Carnosine would benefit the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the neuronal damage caused by oxidative stress.

New Concept in Nutrition for the Maintenance of the Aging Eye Redox Regulation and Therapeutic Treatment of Cataract Disease; Synergism of Natural Antioxidant Imidazole-Containing Amino Acid-Based Compounds, Chaperone, and Glutathione Boosting Agents: A Systemic Perspective on Aging and Longevity Emerged From Studies in Humans

Cataract, opacification of the lens, is one of the commonest causes of loss of useful vision during aging, with an estimated 16 million people world-wide affected. The role of nutritional supplementation in prevention of onset or progression of ocular disease is of interest to health care professionals and patients. The aging eye seems to be at considerable risk from oxidative stress. This review outlines the potential role of the new nutritional strategy on redox balance in age-related eye diseases and detail how the synergism and interaction of imidazole-containing amino acid-based compounds (nonhydrolized L-carnosine, histidine), chaperone agents (such as, L-carnosine, D-pantethine), glutathione-boosting agents (N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, methionine), and N-acetylcarnosine eye drops plays key roles in the function and maintenance of the redox systems in the aging eye and in the treatment of human cataract disease. A novel patented oral health supplement is presented which enhances the anticataract activity of eye drops and activates functional visual acuity. The clinical data demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of a combined oral health care treatment with amino acids possessing chaperone-like activity with N-acetylcarnosine lubricant eye drops. L-carnosine and N-acetylcarnosine protected the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin and reduced the increased posttranslational modifications of lens proteins. Biological activities of the nonhydrolyzed carnosine in the oral formulation are based on its antioxidant and antiglycating (transglycating) action that, in addition to heavy metal chelation and pH-buffering ability, makes carnosine an essential factor for preventing sight-threatening eye disorders having oxidative stress in their pathogenesis, neurodegeneration, and accumulation of senile features. The findings suggest that synergism is required between carnosine or other imidazole-containing compounds and reduced glutathione in tissues and cells for efficacious protection from protein carbonylation as a biomarker for the ability of the non-toxic compounds to reduce oxidative stress. Potential therapeutic applications of oral forms of nonhydrolized carnosine and their specific mechanisms to manage telomere attrition and vascular aging might help elderly patients to withstand the problems of sight-threatening eye diseases related to oxidative stress and accelerated biological ageing in linked with earlier onset of diseases.

Carnosine As a Natural Antioxidant and Geroprotector: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Trials

Carnosine is a neuroprotective dipeptide consisting of beta-alanine and L-histidine. It demonstrates a number of useful features, including stimulation of brain and muscle microcirculation and a rejuvenating effect on cultured cells. Its activity is based on its antioxidant and antiglycating action that, in addition to heavy metal chelation and pH-buffering ability, makes carnosine an essential factor for preventing neurodegeneration and accumulation of senile features. Recently, carnosine was successfully used to treat patients after brain stroke or patients with Parkinson disease. We conclude that carnosine can be recommended for patients under oxidative stress as a natural remedy having high efficiency and no side effects.

Anti-aging Studies on the Senescence Accelerated Mouse (SAM) Strains

Senescence accelerated mouse (SAM), a murine model of accelerated senescence, was established by Toshio Takeda and colleagues. SAM consists of series of SAMP (prone) and SAMR (resistant) lines. All SAMP lines (from SAMP1 to SAMP11) are characterized by accelerated accumulation of senile features, earlier onset and faster progress of age-associated pathological phenotypes, such as amyloidosis, impaired immune response, senile osteoporosis and deficits in learning and memory. These SAMP lines are useful for evaluation of putative anti-aging therapies. For example, SAMP1 line is used to study the anti-aging effect of the antioxidant containing foods and various anti-oxidants, such as coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, lycopene. SAMP8 line exhibiting an early onset of impaired learning and memory is often used for test strategies for therapeutic intervention of dementia of early onset. SAMP6 is used as an animal model for developing new strategies for the treatment of osteoporosis in humans. Various lines of SAM (P1, P6, P8, P10 and R1) are now commercially available for research. In this review, I will briefly introduce various usages of SAM in anti-aging research.

Serum carnosinase activity in plasma and serum: validation of a method and values in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Serum carnosinase (EC 3.4.13.20) is synthesized in the brain, where it is secreted into cerebrospinal fluid and then into the systemic circulation. Its deficiency has been associated with neurologic deficits (1)(2), and decreased concentrations have been observed in patients with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis and in patients after a cerebrovascular accident (3). It has also been suggested that measurement of serum carnosinase together with neuron-specific enolase, or their ratio, may be useful in the assessment of patients with acute stroke with respect to diagnosis and prediction of clinical outcome (4). Carnosinase exists in two isoforms (5). Tissue carnosinase is found in the liver, kidney, and spleen, and serum carnosinase is found in serum (plasma), as well as in the brain and spinal fluid (6). These enzymes result from different gene products and differ not only in their distribution but also in their enzymatic properties (7)(8)(9). Specifically, although under appropriate conditions both isoforms catalyze the hydrolysis of the dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine), only serum carnosinase is able to hydrolyze homocarnosine (γ-aminobutyryl-l-histidine) (2)(9)(10). It is believed that carnosine and homocarnosine have the ability to protect neuronal cells against ischemic injury (11) and oxidative stress (12)(13) as well as to increase their resistance toward functional exhaustion and accumulation of senile features (14). Ischemic-reperfusion injury is a major adverse event that causes morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery, especially when extracorporeal circuits are used. Cerebral damage has been correlated to this type of injury and leads to a decrease in neurocognitive function (15). Currently, the possible relationships between cerebral damage, neurocognitive function, carnosine and homocarnosine concentrations, and serum carnosinase activity during (open) heart surgery are not well understood. Several methods have been described to determine …

Senile features in the skeleton of an aged Japanese monkey

The senile features in the skeleton of a male Japanese monkey, who is presumed to be about 40 years old, were examined in comparison with younger individuals. As for the skull, every part is constructed solidly, and the sutures around the temporal and parietal bones are for the most part closed. In the dentition many of the front teeth are destroyed or lost, and the cheek teeth are severely worn. In the vertebrae, the annular epiphyseal discs unite completely with the body at its anterior and posterior surfaces, and the porosity and deformation of the bodies are remarkable. The hip bones, in the pelvis, unite with each other by solid ossification of the pubic symphysis. The long bones of the anterior and posterior limbs are marked by their general thickness, the rugged increase of bone around the joints, especially in the arms, and the complete union of each epiphysis with the shaft through the ossification of the epiphyseal cartilage. These senile features furnish a clue as to the establishment of a criterion for age estimation in Japanese monkeys.