1,721,099 research outputs found
Sarcopenia: A dive into metabolism to promote a multimodal, preventive, and regenerative approach
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, poses a significant challenge in the field of geriatrics and gerontology, impacting the health and independence of older adults. Understanding and addressing sarcopenia is crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes and enhancing the quality of life along with aging. By synthesizing current research findings and theoretical frameworks, this review elucidates the multifaceted mechanisms underlying sarcopenia, mainly focusing on energy balance and metabolic processes. Furthermore, the manuscript explores the implications of sarcopenia on overall health outcomes, functional decline, and quality of life in older individuals. The study concludes with a perspective on the role of preventive and regenerative medicine in sarcopenia, where the two main lifestyle pillars (exercise and diet) represent key factors
Improving geriatric outcomes through nutritional and immunonutritional strategies: Focus on surgical setting by a comprehensive evidence review
The aging population worldwide has led to an increased request for surgical interventions in older, geriatric, and frail patients. However, all the physiological changes related to aging are associated with many challenges in the perioperative period, strongly impacting surgical outcomes. Nutritional status plays a pivotal role in determining the resilience of older adults to surgical stress and their ability to recover postoperatively. It is well known that malnutrition, a prevalent concern in geriatrics, is linked to increased adverse outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. Recognizing the significance of preoperative nutritional screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring is essential for optimizing surgical outcomes. In this context, immunonutrition, which involves the supplementation of specific nutrients to modulate immune responses, emerges as a promising strategy to mitigate the increased inflammatory response observed in geriatric surgical patients. This study reviews current literature on the impact of nutrition and immunonutrition on surgical outcomes in geriatrics, highlighting the potential benefits in terms of reduced complications, enhanced wound healing, and shortened hospital stays. Recognizing and addressing the specific nutritional needs of older persons undergoing surgery is essential for promoting successful surgical outcomes and improving overall quality of life in this vulnerable population
The telomere connection between aging and cancer: The burden of replication stress and dysfunction
Aging is a complex process that affects individuals at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and systemic levels, arising from the cumulative effects of damage and reduced repair mechanisms. This process leads to the onset of age-related diseases, including cancer, which exhibits increased incidence with age. Telomeres, the protective caps at chromosome ends, play a crucial role in genome stability and are closely connected with aging and age-related disorders. Both excessively short and long telomere lengths may contribute to cancer development when their balance is disrupted. Fragile telomeres, characterized by abnormalities and replication stress, may provide novel insights into the connection between aging and cancer. The accumulation of fragile telomeres, possibly due to intense replicative stress, may represent a key factor. Given the dynamic nature of telomeres, large longitudinal studies are essential for understanding their role in aging and cancer susceptibility, which is crucial for developing effective strategies to promote healthy aging and mitigate cancer risk
Aging, Cancer, and Inflammation: The Telomerase Connection
Understanding the complex dynamics of telomere biology is important in the strong link between aging and cancer. Telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes, are central players in this connection. While their gradual shortening due to replication limits tumors expansion by triggering DNA repair mechanisms, it also promotes oncogenic changes within chromosomes, thus sustaining tumorigenesis. The enzyme telomerase, responsible for maintaining telomere length, emerges as a central player in this context. Its expression in cancer cells facilitates the preservation of telomeres, allowing them to circumvent the growth-limiting effects of short telomeres. Interestingly, the influence of telomerase extends beyond telomere maintenance, as evidenced by its involvement in promoting cell growth through alternative pathways. In this context, inflammation accelerates telomere shortening, resulting in telomere dysfunction, while telomere elements also play a role in modulating the inflammatory response. The recognition of this interplay has promoted the development of novel therapeutic approaches centered around telomerase inhibition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the field, emphasizing recent progress in knowledge and the implications in understanding of cancer biology
Searching for Beauty and Health: Aging in Women, Nutrition, and the Secret in Telomeres
Women typically outlive men, yet they often experience greater frailty and a higher incidence of chronic diseases as they age. By exploring the biological foundations of aging, with a particular focus on telomere dynamics, this manuscript aims to describe how dietary and lifestyle choices can significantly influence the aging process. The review comprehensively examines current research, underscoring the power of nutrition to counteract age-related changes, support healthy aging, and maintain vitality and beauty in women. The exploration of telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes—reveals how they serve as markers of cellular aging and are potential targets for interventions aimed at enhancing women’s longevity and quality of life. This study also emphasizes the importance of sex-specific approaches and precision medicine in understanding the unique health challenges women face as they age. By proposing targeted strategies, the review seeks to address these challenges, offering insights into preventive measures that can foster resilience, promote well-being, and extend healthy life expectancy in women. Ultimately, this work provides a sophisticated understanding of the aging process in women, highlighting the pivotal role of tailored interventions in preserving both health and beauty
Population aging: Results of ARNO study
Population aging occurs when the median age of a country or region rises due to the elongation of life expectancy and birth rate reduction. The aging process and its effects on the structure of the Italian population is currently in the spotlight. The Italian National Institute of Statistics, ISTAT, has predicted a high rise in the life expectancy of Italian residents, increasing from 77.4 years of age to 83.6 years in 2050 for men and from 83.3 years of age to 88.6 years for women. Thus, Italy will have to face with many aging consequences such as increasing in money spending on healthcare. Here we report the results of the ARNO study which represents a very effective tool for the elderly population evaluation and health needs assessment
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