Health Evaluation and Promotion
Online ISSN : 1884-4103
Print ISSN : 1347-0086
ISSN-L : 1347-0086
40th JHEP conference 2012
Glycation stress and anti-aging medicine
Yoshikazu YoneiMasayuki Yagi
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2012 Volume 39 Issue 5 Pages 596-601

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Abstract

 Anti-aging medicine is a field of preventive medicine focusing on health promotion and the achievement of long and healthy life. The main objectives of anti-aging medical treatments are to prevent aging and promote rejuvenation in terms of functional age including the muscle age, blood vessel age, neurological age, hormone age, and bone age, which can be evaluated by anti-aging medical checkup.
 Functional change is influenced by physical, mental, oxidative, and glycation stresses associated with lifestyles. Glycation stress is as a factor linked with age related diseases and functional and structural alterations of the body. Glycation stress is a representative risk factor of aging as well as oxidative stress.
 Glycation occurs when reducing sugars, such as glucose and fructose, combine with lysine or arginine residues of protein in a non-enzymatic reaction forming a glycated protein. Further reactions form advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may accumulate in tissue, and bind to specific receptors, called RAGE (receptor for AGEs), thus inducing inflammatory changes in various parts of the body. In adipocytes, another pathway for post-translational modification is generated by reaction of fumaric acid, a Krebs cycle intermediate, with cysteine residues of various proteins.
 For example, collagen modified by AGEs, forming cross-linkage between fibers, is less elastic leading to skin sclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol modified by AGEs, engulfed by macrophages, causes atherome formation in the blood vessels.
 To maintain youth and health, it is important to manage these risk factors. Glycation stress may be reduced (1) by appropriate management of plasma glucose and insulin secretion, (2) by avoiding high fructose ingredients, (3) by maintaining muscle mass and endocrinological function which may reduce with aging and (4) by intake of anti-glycation materials such as AGEs generation inhibitors. We hope this scientific field will develop further treatments in anti-aging medicine.

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© 2012 Japan Society of Health Evaluation and Promotion
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