Potential biomarkers of ageing

Biol Chem. 2008 Mar;389(3):257-65. doi: 10.1515/BC.2008.034.

Abstract

Life span in individual humans is very heterogeneous.Thus, the ageing rate, measured as the decline of functional capacity and stress resistance, is different in every individual. There have been attempts made to analyse this individual age, the so-called biological age, in comparison to chronological age. Biomarkers of ageing should help to characterise this biological age and, as age is a major risk factor in many degenerative diseases,could be subsequently used to identify individuals at high risk of developing age-associated diseases or disabilities. Markers based on oxidative stress, protein glycation,inflammation, cellular senescence and hormonal deregulation are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers*
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / physiology
  • Estrogens / physiology
  • Growth Hormone / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • Insulin / physiology
  • Maillard Reaction
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Telomere / physiology
  • Testosterone / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Estrogens
  • Insulin
  • Proteins
  • Testosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Growth Hormone