Åldringsmekanismerna

Åldringsmekanismerna refers to the biological processes that lead to aging. These are complex and multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic, cellular, and molecular changes over time. One widely studied mechanism is cellular senescence, where cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active, releasing inflammatory signals that can contribute to tissue dysfunction. Another key area is the accumulation of damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, which can impair cellular function and lead to disease.

Telomere shortening is another significant factor. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Once telomeres become critically short, cells enter senescence or undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death). Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the body's ability to neutralize them, also plays a role by damaging cellular components.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, affecting the energy-producing organelles within cells, is another contributing factor to aging. As mitochondria become less efficient, they produce more harmful reactive oxygen species, further exacerbating cellular damage. Epigenetic alterations, changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, also accumulate with age and can disrupt normal cellular processes. Finally, the decline in proteostasis, the ability of cells to maintain the correct folding and function of proteins, leads to the buildup of misfolded or aggregated proteins, which can be toxic. These various mechanisms interact and contribute to the overall aging process and its associated physiological decline.