Longevity-Digest is an E-mail list devoted to the science of aging. I am
Brian Rowley (BS, MS), owner and moderator.
SUBSCRIBING AND UNSUBSCRIBING
To subscribe to Longevity-Digest, reply to this E-mail with the word
"subscribe".
MISSION
Longevity-Digest is designed to bring together scientists interested
in diverse aspects of longevity science. Some will be molecular biologists,
some protozoologists, some endocrinologists, some evolutionary biologists...
Gerontologists studying the biology of aging are especially welcome. The
list does not cover social sciences, economics or nursing of the elderly.
The subject matter of this list is of great importance. Aging is the
most important risk factor for almost all causes of death. Right now,
medical science is trying to prolong healthy life chiefly by attacking
diseases. But at some point in life this approach serves only to prolong
morbidity. We are unlikely to get beyond a life expectancy of 85 or so
unless we treat the aging process itself (Olshansky, Carnes & Cassel 1990).
Furthermore, even without any life expectation gain, the benefits of
preserving a youthful physiology are incalculable.
There is some reason for hope that effective treatments for aging will be
found in our lifetime. For example, there are studies of shorter-lived
species that document successful interventions in the aging process: (1)
caloric restriction with ample micronutrients prolongs the life span of
long-lived rodents (those already resistant to the diseases of aging) and a
phylogenetically diverse array of other species (e.g., rotifers, daphnia,
spiders, fish....), by up to 50% (Weindruch & Walford 1988). (2) the clonal
life span of paramecia can be increased 33% by consecutive treatments of
damaging (nucleotide fusing) UV and undamaging (nucleotide splitting) UV.
Damaging and undamaging the DNA is hypothesized to trick cells into
mobilizing a reserve DNA repair capacity that can reverse age-accumulated
damage (Smith-Sonneborn 1979). (3) Liu & Walford (1975) have found that
lowering the body temperature of C. bellottii fish from 20 to 15 degrees
Celsius adds over 80% to the life span. Complex metabolic changes, not
simply a "lowered metabolism" seem implicated. (4) The mean and maximum life
span of fruit flies has been more than doubled by selective breeding.
Associated with these increases in survival are a number of physiological
and functional enhancements, e.g., increased later fecundity, increased
stress resistance, increased locomotor capacity at later ages. Accordingly,
there is little reason to doubt that these fruit flies have postponed aging
(Rose 1989). (5) Combinations of daf-2 and daf-12 mutant alleles nearly
quadruple the adult life span of C. elegans nematodes (Larsen, Albert &
Riddle 1995). As a result of these successes, it would be premature to
conclude that nothing will ever be done about aging, and it is certainly
true that a greater understanding of underlying mechanisms of aging is
rapidly being achieved in laboratory settings.
POSTING
To post a message to Longevity-Digest, send E-mail to
Longevity-Digest at vm.ege.edu.tr (it is recommended that you subscribe first).
MODERATION
Longevity-Digest is moderated using the filter system. This means
that only those subscribers with a reputation for posting "noise" (spams,
flames, misinformation, etc.) are moderated. Their messages go to me first,
and I can then distribute them to the other subscribers, or not, as
appropriate. Messages from all other subscribers are distributed immediately
to the list uncensored and unedited. This system gives the advantages of an
unmoderated list, while also giving posters freedom from junk mail and abuse.
Let me extend my warmest greetings to you. I am looking forward to
making your acquaintance on Longevity-Digest, and I anticipate many exciting
discussions :->
-Brian Rowley
REFERENCES
Olshansky, SJ, Carnes, BA and Cassel, C. In search of Methuselah: estimating
the upper limits to human longevity. Science 250:634-640.
Weindruch, R and Walford, RL. The Retardation of Aging and Disease by
Dietary Restriction. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas, publisher,
1988 pp. 31-72.
Smith-Sonneborn, J. DNA repair and longevity assurance in Paramecium
tetraurelia. Science 203:1115-7, 1979.
Liu, RK and Walford, RL. The effect of lowered body temperature on lifespan
and immune and non-immune processes. Gerontologia 18:363-88, 1972.
Rose, MR. Genetics of increased life span in Drosophila. Bioessays
11:132-135, 1989.
Larsen, PL, Albert, PS and Riddle, DL. Genes that regulate both development
and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 139(4):1567-1583.