Aging and disease

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10 December 2013. VOL 4, ISSUE 6 Previous Issue Next Issue

Poor Aerobic Fitness May Contribute to Cognitive Decline in HIV-infected Older Adults
Mark Mapstone, Tiffany N. Hilton, Hongmei Yang, Joseph J. Guido, Amneris E. Luque, William J. Hall, Stephen Dewhurst, Krupa Shah

2013, 4 (6): 311-319 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400311

PDF (738KB)
Autonomic Cardiovascular Damage during Post-menopause: the Role of Physical Training
Hugo C. D. Souza, Geisa C. S. V. Tezini

2013, 4 (6): 320-328 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400320

PDF (425KB)
Depression Treatment Non-adherence and its Psychosocial Predictors: Differences between Young and Older Adults?
Ifat Stein-Shvachman, Dikla Segel Karpas, Perla Werner

2013, 4 (6): 329-336 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400329

PDF (554KB)
Mitochondrial DNA Damage Patterns and Aging: Revising the Evidences for Humans and Mice
Nadiya Kazachkova, Amanda Ramos, Cristina Santos, Manuela Lima

2013, 4 (6): 337-350 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400337

PDF (1030KB)
Aging, Functional Capacity and Eccentric Exercise Training
Mandy L. Gault, Mark E.T. Willems

2013, 4 (6): 351-363 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400351

PDF (643KB)
mtDNA Mutations and Their Role in Aging, Diseases and Forensic Sciences
Sara C. Zapico, Douglas H. Ubelaker

2013, 4 (6): 364-380 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400364

PDF (1069KB)
Is Bilateral Orchiectomy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treatment Associated with High Cardiovascular Risk?
Konstantinos Stamatiou, Eleni Stamatopoulou, George Christopoulos

2013, 4 (6): 381-384 | DOI: 10.14336/AD.2013.0400381

PDF (424KB)

Cover Illustration

10 December 2013. Vol.4 No.6
Mitochondria are independent organelles with their own DNA. As a primary function, mitochondria produce the energy for the cell through Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the Electron Transport Chain (ETC). One of the toxic products of this process is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can induce oxidative damage in macromolecules like lipids, proteins and DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less protected and has fewer reparation mechanisms than nuclear DNA (nDNA), and as such is more exposed to oxidative, mutation-inducing damage. This review analyzes the causes and consequences of mtDNA mutations and their relationship with the aging process. Neurodegenerative diseases, related with the aging, are consequences of mtDNA mutations resulting in a decrease in mitochondrial function. Also described are “mitochondrial diseases”, pathologies produced by mtDNA mutations and whose symptoms are related with mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, mtDNA haplogroups are defined in this review; these groups are important for determination of geographical origin of an individual. Additionally, different haplogroups exhibit variably longevity and risk of certain diseases. mtDNA mutations in aging and haplogroups are of special interest to forensic science research. Therefore this review will help to clarify the key role of mtDNA mutations in these processes and support further research in this area.

[Detail]

Cover Illustration

Mitochondria are independent organelles with their own DNA. As a primary function, mitochondria produce the energy for the cell through Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the Electron Transport Chain (ETC). One of the toxic products of this process is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can induce oxidative damage in macromolecules like lipids, proteins and DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less protected and has fewer reparation mechanisms than nuclear DNA (nDNA), and as such is more exposed to oxidative, mutation-inducing damage. This review analyzes the causes and consequences of mtDNA mutations and their relationship with the aging process. Neurodegenerative diseases, related with the aging, are consequences of mtDNA mutations resulting in a decrease in mitochondrial function. Also described are “mitochondrial diseases”, pathologies produced by mtDNA mutations and whose symptoms are related with mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, mtDNA haplogroups are defined in this review; these groups are important for determination of geographical origin of an individual. Additionally, different haplogroups exhibit variably longevity and risk of certain diseases. mtDNA mutations in aging and haplogroups are of special interest to forensic science research. Therefore this review will help to clarify the key role of mtDNA mutations in these processes and support further research in this area.