Study Shows Oxidants Can Slow Down Cell Aging

(Photo: Darwin Laganzon )
Oxidants can react to bodily molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids.

Cells are the building blocks of our body and are essential in the function of every organ. According to Wonderpolis, scientists concluded that there are approximately 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, but it will still depend on an individual's size. Supplements for cells are also out in the market because everybody is aware of their importance. However, aging is the cell's number one enemy.

Researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology conducted a study that presented low levels of oxidant hydrogen peroxide that can kindle an enzyme that helps slow down yeast cells' aging. The researchers observed the enzyme Tsa1, which is a part of a group of antioxidants called peroxiredoxins.

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Research group leader at Chalmers' Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Mikael Molin said in a statement that earlier researches of the said enzymes have presented that they participate in yeast cells' defenses against detrimental oxidants. He also added that peroxiredoxins also aids in the life span of cells when subjected to calorie constraint.

Phys Org said that researchers are aware that reduced calorie intake can expressively prolong various organisms' life span. They added that Molin showed that stimulation of peroxiredoxin activity, in particular, is what slows down the aging of cells in various models like yeast, worm, and fly when they obtain fewer calories than normal food.

Results

Chalmers' Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology Cecilia Picazo said in a statement that Tsa1 was earlier known to neutralize reactive oxygen species but they discovered that it also requires a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide to be stimulated for it to partake in the process of yeast cells. The study showed that Tsa1 does not affect the levels of hydrogen peroxide in aged yeast cells. In reverse, Tsa1 uses small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to reduce the activity of the central signaling pathway when cells calorie decreases. This results in the sluggish cell division and processes that have to do with cells' building block formation.

Molin said that signal pathways are affected by calorie intake and may play a central role in cell aging by sensing the status of many cellular functions and controlling them. The researchers hope to understand the molecular causes behind the occurrence of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes, which is rampant among elders.

What Are Oxidants?

However, oxidants are technically bad for our cells. According to National Jewish Health, the said oxidants are reactive molecules produced inside the body and the environment, which can react with cellular molecules in the body like DNA, protein, and lipids. They added that the reaction between bodily molecules could cause disease and inflammation. Oxidative stress can also happen in the body if too many oxidants or free radicals are present in it.

Healthline said that oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. They added that too many radicals in the body could cause diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and hypertension. This only means that too many oxidants can cause cell aging and various diseases, so controlling their number inside the body should also be a priority.

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