[Research on aging: biological perspectives].
Aging is a part of the continuous process from conception to death and is strongly modulated by environmental factors throughout the lifespan. Variability in functional capacity between different organs and between individuals therefore increases with aging. This review will discuss two tissues of importance for the fitness of the aging human being: connective tissue and bone. Connective tissues become stiffer with age, which can be mitigated by physical exercise. The physical-chemical stability of collagen is a precise measure for the functional age of the organism. While in the aged, the healing (formation of connective tissue scar) of uncomplicated incisional wounds is slightly impaired, the healing of ischemic wounds is endangered. The clinical observation that "simple" wounds also heal less well in the aged might be due to the presence of diseases with ischemia and other pathologies. During normal aging bone loses mass, structural continuity, and strength. When pronounced, these changes cause osteopenia and osteoporotic fractures. The age-adjusted incidence of osteoporotic fractures is increasing on account of changes in our lifestyle. Preventive efforts, with increased physical activity as the main feature, must be implemented to alter this trend. Our knowledge of the mechanisms of aging is not yet sufficient to formulate a policy containing preventive measures enabling man to achieve his maximum biological lifespan with good physical health and a high quality of life. Multidisciplinary efforts by biologists, clinicians and epidemiologists are warranted to achieve this goal.
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De Anatomiske Institutter, Institut for Bindevaevsbiologi, Aarhus Universitet.
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D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012106:Research; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
Aeldreforskning: biologiske perspektiver.