X-Message-Number: 14420
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 00:34:11 -0400
From: James Swayze <>
Subject: Re: Oxidation theory of aging, Greg Fahy, Please chime in!
References: <>

>
> From: Doug Skrecky <>
> Subject: The Biology of aging.
>
> Mayo Clin Proc 75 Suppl: S3-8 Jan 2000
>
> Abstract:  Nothing has been demonstrated to slow or
> reverse the primary aging process in humans; instead,
>  the factors that are known to affect longevity do so by
> their influence on disease development, which is part
> of secondary aging.

<Snip>

>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From: "Gary Tripp" <>
> Subject: drug extends life-span by 50% in worms
> Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 15:56:31 -0400
>
> Using drugs that help eliminate oxygen radicals -- the toxic byproducts of
> metabolism -- scientists have extended the normal lifespan of the nematode
> worm C. elegans by approximately 50 percent. In addition, the scientists
> restored a normal lifespan to mutant worms that had a mitochondrial defect
> causing increased oxygen radical production and rapid aging. The findings
> were reported in the September 1, 2000 issue of Science.

<snip>

>
>
>
> Since the early 1970s, Dr. Wallace and his colleagues in Emory's Center for
> Molecular Medicine have been studying mitochondria -- the tiny power plants
> located in the cytoplasm of cells. Dr. Wallace believes that by
> demonstrating the effectiveness of these drugs in slowing the aging process,
> this work supports his long-held hypothesis that oxygen radicals generated
> in the mitochondria during metabolism are a major cause of degenerative
> diseases and aging.
>
> As byproducts of energy generation, says Dr. Wallace, oxygen radicals
> generated inside the mitochondria inhibit mitochondrial function and
> gradually destroy the mitochondrial DNA, which are the blueprints necessary
> to keep these power plants of the body functioning.
>
> "If you have a power plant that burns coal, you will get energy but also
> toxic smoke. You can decrease the toxicity of the smoke by putting a
> scrubber into the smokestack. In this case, we are putting in a catalytic
> drug which acts like a scrubber to eliminate the oxygen radicals," he
> explains. "We believe this protects the mitochondria and the cell from being
> damaged by the mitochondrial toxic byproducts and allows them to function
> efficiently for much longer."

The long and short of the above information and other pertaining to oxidation's

contribution to aging paints a bleak picture indeed. I mean that if oxidation is
the main cause and at the same time so tied to processes we cannot change then
aging is not curable at least via this avenue. We can hardly shut down the
mitochondria. At the Alcor conference in June Greg Fahy disputed the oxidation

cause of aging theory and though I can't remember the details of his argument 
now


it made sense to me at the time. He also put it that it was one if his pet 
peeves

for the same reason I stated above in that if it is so then our hands are tied
and he did not seem then to accept such a defeatist position. Greg if you are

lurking could you please present your position on the matter again, here? 
Thanks.

James Swayze
--
Some of our views are spacious
some are merely space--RUSH

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