Ageing

What is a ageing ?
Ageing is a natural process that reduces the number of healthy cell in the body, therefore the body loses its ability to respond to a challenge (external or internal stress) to maintain homeostasis. The science of ageing is refered as a Gerontology. The scientist studying the science of ageing are known as Gerontologist. Branch of medicine dealing with problem of ageing is called Geriatric medicine. The human life span is about 100-110 years.

There are following age related changes occur in the body.

1. Blood.
Blood volume and blood cells. Haemopoetic marrow reserve. Anaemia. Senile purpura. Raised ESR. Immunity. (a) role of T- cell. (b) role of thymus.

2.Cardiovascular system.
Myocardium. Valve. (a) aortic valve (b)mitral valve Heart. Cardiac output. Pacemaker.

3.Blood vessels and blood pressure.

Blood vessels. Blood pressure. Blood flow.

4.Respiratory system.
Structural changes in the lung. Pulmonary compliance. Compliance of thoracic cage & motility of ribs. Pulmonary blood vessels.

Functional changes of lung.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Functional residual capacity of lung. Residual volume. Vital capacity, FEV1, MBC, Diffusion capacity for O2. Respiratory response. Airway. Arterial Pco2 and Po2.

5.Gastro intestinal system.

Diminution of masticatory efficiency. Difficulty in swallowing. Reduction in gastric secretion. Small intestine. Change in the liver. Colon motility.

6.Renal and genitourinary system.

Kidney. Functional renal changes.
decreased GFR. Decreased in tubular function.

Prostate enlargement. Vaginal and urethral mucosal atrophy.

7.Endocrine system.
Age related decrease in endocrine function may occur due to. Thyroid hormone. Decrease the growth hormone level. Impaired glucose homeostasis. Reproductive hormone. Ant. Pituitary hormone. ADH, Rennin, Aldosterone. Vitamin-D

8.Musculoskeletal, Skin & Hair.

Muscular power. Muscle twitch. Osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis. Wrinkling of skin. Greying of hair. baldness.

9.Central nervous system.

Brain atrophy and neuronal loss. Degenerative changes in substantia nigra and lentiform nucleus. Histological change. Cerebral blood flow. Reflexes. Function of neurotransmitter is impaired. Sleep changes.

10.Changes in ANS.
Impaired temp. regulation. Postural hypotension.

11.Changes in special sense.

(A)Age related ocular change. Presbyopia. Senile cataract. Corneal degeneration. Dry eye. (B)Age related change in ear. Presbyacusia. Otosclerosis. (C)Age related change in taste and smell. Impairment in taste sensation. Impairment in sensation of smell.

Different theory of ageing

Many theory of ageing that have been postulated through years which are as follows:

1. Death hormone & limited cell replication theory. Depending upon the replicating capability of the cell in the body can be divided in to three categories. The cell replicate theory suggest that ageing may represent a stage of life when replication of cell ceases.

2.Cross linking theory

The cross linking agent can link two or more of these molecule together with strong bond.when these occur the molecule can no longer do their work. Cross linking agent are formed in the body from normal molecule when they exposed to radiation, air pollution or when metabolic reaction are hampered by toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Cross linking agent damages cell and tissue,slowing down bodily processes and result in ageing.

3.Collagen theory
These theory suggest that ageing occur due to cross linking between collagen molecule and fibrous molecule that support bone , tendon , and connective tisssue.these collagen molecule then shrink and strangle healthy cell.

4.DNA damage theory

Accumulation of damage to the DNA molecule. When damage is done repeatedly and is carried over in to new cells, then the DNA become less efficient. Cross linking agent , radiation and lack of necessary building materials for the construction of the DNA during cell division are causes of DNA damage.

5.Free radical theory

Ageing is due to damaging effect of free radical agent on living tissue. Free radical can damage vital macromolecule such as DNA and protein . Free radical agent are super oxide , hydroxyl radical , hydrogen atom , oxygen molecule, nitric oxide.

6.Metabolic product theory

Ageing is due to accumulation of oxidation product in our cell makes as a tired. Some of these metabolic product can form in to free radical and cross linking agent.

7.Stress theory
These theory suggest that the body and cells can tolerate to certain amount of stress. The point at which stress changes in to distress differs from one individual to another. Distress can affect the rate of cell division , hormone levels and many other body function.

8.Immunologic theory
Life span decrease have been associated with number of factor that can hamper immune response such as cigarette smoking , obesity , distress. These theory suggest that ageing is due to decrease immunological function with age. Role of T-cell and B-cell As thymus shrinks with age, the effectiveness of the T-cell is decrease.

9.Cybernetic theory
Ageing is due to an increasing loss of control by the nervous system over all function of the body.

Applied aspect
Werners syndrome: it is a condition in
which human age at a markedly accelerated rate , the genetic abnormality is mutation of gene coding for a DNA helicase, one of the enzyme that helps split the DNA strand before replication. Lack of these DNA helicase occur in these syndrome.

Modulating the process of ageing

Some of the important factor that increase the life span will also delay ageing , these factor are 1. No smoking 2. Maintaining normal weight 3. Regular exercise 4. Good nutrition anti oxidant are responsible for delay ageing e.g.- vit-E,C,A 5. Supplimentation of growth hormone will also delay the ageing.