Aging. Modern theories and therapies

265 Pages·2011·6.69 MB·English

by  Panno J.

Aging
Revised Edition

Aging
Modern Theories and Therapies
Revised Edition
Joseph pANNo, ph.D.
AGING: Modern Theories and Therapies, Revised Edition
Copyright © 2011, 2005 by Joseph Panno, Ph.D.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by
any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the
publisher. For information contact:
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Panno, Joseph.
Aging: modern theories and therapies / Joseph Panno.—Rev. ed.
p. cm.—(The new biology)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8160-6846-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4381-3364-5 (e-book)
1. Aging. 2. Longevity. I. Title.
QP86.P33 2001
612.6'7—dc22 2009047717
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glad to rectify, in future editions, any errors or omissions brought to their notice.
Text design by Erik Lindstrom
Composition by Hermitage Publishing Services
Illustrations by the author
Photo research by Diane K. French
Cover printed by Bang Printing, Brainerd, Minn.
Book printed and bound by Bang Printing, Brainerd, Minn.
Date printed: October 2010
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
CCoonntteennttss
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xiv
 1 The Quest for Immortality  1
One Hour Upon the Stage 6
Growing Younger 12
The Road Ahead 13
 2 The History of Gerontology  14
The Early Years 15
DNA Structure Inspires New Theories 17
Biotechnology Revolutionizes the Field 20
The Post-Genomic Era 26
 3 Aging Characteristics  29
Classical Aging 30
Modern Aging 30
Aging Mosaics 34
 4 Aging Theories  36
Error Catastrophe Theory 36
Genes and Programmed Aging 38
Telomeres 39
Rate-of-Living Theory 41
Free Radicals 42
Neuroendocrine Theory 43
Concluding Remarks 53
 5 Longevity Genes  55
Yeast 56
Nematode 60
Fruit Fly 61
Mouse 64
Human 65
Summary 66
 6 Age-Related Diseases  68
Alzheimer’s Disease 68
Arthritis 82
Cancer 85
Cardiovascular Disease 92
Diabetes 98
Osteoporosis 100
 7 Geriatrics  108
Our Aging Society 109
Evaluating the Geriatric Patient 110
Managing Age-Related Disorders 112
Drug Therapy 115
Nursing Homes 116
Ethical Issues 117
 8 Rejuvenation  120
Turning Back the Clock 122
DNA Microarray Analysis 123
Nuclear Transfer Technology 125
Cell Fusion Technology 128
Stem Cell Analysis 128
Gene Therapy 131
The Final Package 132
 9 Clinical Trials  134
Alzheimer’s Disease 135
Cardiovascular Disease 139
Hormone Replacement Therapy 142
Nutrition and Lifestyle 145
Osteoporosis 148
Parkinson’s Disease 149
10 Resource Center  151
Cell Biology 151
Biotechnology 174
Gene Therapy 182
The Human Genome Project 187
Understanding Clinical Trials 190
Gene and Protein Nomenclature 192
Weights and Measures 193
Glossary 194
Further Resources 223
Index 236

Preface
W
hen the first edition of this set was being written, the new
biology was just beginning to come into its potential and to
experience some of its first failures. Dolly the sheep was alive and
well and had just celebrated her fifth birthday. Stem cell researchers,
working 12-hour days, were giddy with the prospect of curing every
disease known to humankind, but were frustrated by inconsistent
results and the limited availability of human embryonic stem cells.
Gene therapists, still reeling from the disastrous Gelsinger trial of
1998, were busy trying to figure out what had gone wrong and how
to improve the safety of a procedure that many believed would revo-
lutionize medical science. And cancer researchers, while experienc-
ing many successes, hit their own speed bump when a major survey
showed only modest improvements in the prognosis for all of the
deadliest cancers.
ix