The Late Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to ionizing radiation results in an increase in oxidative damage to DNA, protein, and lipids in a dose-dependent manner. This increase is mainly the result of the increased rate of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their direct attack on biomolecules. Late biological effects of ionizing radiation include accelerated aging disease on different levels. For example, an increase in the rate of the age-dependent accumulation of DNA damage in brain cells and of cross-links in collagen molecules has been observed in rodent tissues many months after they were exposed to ionizing radiation. (more…)

Some genetic mutations appear to accelerate certain features of aging only within a single tissue. There are a very large number of these conditions, which might be referred to as unimodal progeroid syndromes. Here only three examples are considered: one that has a major impact on sun-exposed skin, one that results in an early onset of the most common form of dementia alzheimer, Alzheimer’s disease, and another that results in early-onset Parkinson’s disease. (more…)

Altered cellular metabolism and intracellular and intercellular signaling with advancing age result in widespread changes in endocrine function. Several mechanisms interact in most systems to bring about the observed changes. Aging is associated with anatomic changes of the endocrine glands. In addition, with age, changes in hormone secretion occur, including alterations in circadian or seasonal biorhythms, changes in pulsatile frequency or amplitude of hormone secretion, as well as absolute changes in mean serum hormonal levels. (more…)

Approximately 35% of the factors that influence life expectancy are inherited. Accelerated aging is therefore usually associated with genetic abnormalities. None of the accelerated aging syndromes, however, leads to a uniform, systematic “speeding up” of the aging process. A number of genetic disorders can lead to premature or accelerated aging (also referred to as progerias), including Down syndrome, Hutchinson– Gilford syndrome, and Werner’s syndrome. (more…)