Aging and changes in internal organs – can they be slowed down?

Abstract:

Numerous changes occur in human body due to aging. The end of human life is possibly the final course of the entropy of non-regulated system. Functions and structures of organs changed due to aging. The whole amount of body water is reduced by 10-15% compared to a middle age. Cardiac output and stroke volume decrease, and peripheral vascular resistance increases. In the elderly, the ability to perform physical activity could be about 50% lower than in younger people. Systolic blood pressure increases. Respiratory system can be changed with advanced age by one third. In kidneys, blood flow can be diminished by about 10% per decade. Aging process is connected with shortening of telomeres and it is a possible molecular mechanism of a „biological clock“. It seems that regular physical exercise could slow down the telemeres shortening. It seems that substances such as are immune supression agents rapamycin, astragalus and growth hormone are not effective in these processes and are connected with side effects. Research in this field is directed to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, hormone adrenomedullin, and senolytics resveratrol, dasatinib, quercetin and metformin. The role of physical exercise in amounting of levels of myokines and preventing sarcopenia is pointed out.

Key words:
aging; changes of internal organs; flavonoids; physical exercise; sarcopenia; telomeres