From disease-oriented to aging/longevity-oriented studies.
Aging should be considered a major risk factor for life-threatening degenerative pathologies including atherosclerosis, cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes type II, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. Although an apparent paradox, it appears that the most effective way to delay or even to avert age-related diseases is to live longer. Common changes in the epigenetic control of gene expression may be one of the central mechanisms behind both aging and age-associated pathologies. If so, epigenetic interventions may serve in a twofold manner: (a) to extend the lifespan and (b) cure age-related degenerative diseases. Currently predominant disease-oriented paradigm should be reconsidered toward aging/longevity oriented.
Budovsky
Arie
A
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Muradian
Khachik K
KK
Fraifeld
Vadim E
VE
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology