Antioxidants: good, bad, or ineffective in terms of aging and lifespan? It depends
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0137-0952-16-79-4-4
Abstract
The problem of antioxidant efficiency in terms of their impact on “normal” aging and agerelated diseases is discussed. It is emphasized that for many years antioxidants were considered the most promising geroprotectors (anti-aging drugs) capable of slowing down aging, treating age-related diseases and increasing both the average and maximum lifespan of animals and humans. However, as noted, in recent years the situation has begun to change dramatically. The methodological aspects of this problem are considered – in particular, the complexity of the correct selection of effective concentrations of such drugs in experimental gerontological studies on both multicellular organisms and cell cultures is emphasized. The literature data is analyzed, indicating that, in many cases, antioxidants, unfortunately, can even be harmful to the body, causing “paradoxical” oxidative stress and suppressing some important physiological functions.
Keywords
aging,
lifespan,
free radicals,
nutrition,
experimental gerontology,
synthetic and natural antioxidants,
age-related diseases,
geroprotectors
Supporting agencies: The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University.
About the Author
A. N. Khokhlov
Evolutionary Cytogerontology Sector, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
1–12 Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119234
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Review
For citations:
Khokhlov A.N. Antioxidants: good, bad, or ineffective in terms of aging and lifespan? It depends. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 16. Biologiya. 2024;79(4):367-371. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0137-0952-16-79-4-4
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