Different Molecular Pathways of Cardiovascular Aging

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable process that affects every living organism. It is a body's response to a variety of stressors and is connected to many chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), cardiovascular disease…  The aim of this review was to further comprehend the mechanisms of aging process and its effect on cardiovascular system. For collecting sufficient data, different scientific databases were used. In the end, there is no exact conclusion of exactly what causes aging, instead we have different theories of its molecular origins such as: oxidative stress, general wear-and-tear and genetic instability, mitochondrial genome damage, telomere shortening, genetic aging programs… Aging process, especially oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathophysiology of cardiomyocyte senescence. Biological compounds like MicroRNAs, SIR1 gene, NF-κB and IL-4, P66Shc, AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) has also been shown to participate or conduct molecular pathways that take part in aging process as well.

Keywords: aging heart, cardiovascular aging, senescence, molecular pathways