The mitochondrial basis of aging and related diseases

Abstract

Aging is a programmed and spontaneous life course that organisms must undergo, and as an irreversible and relatively conservative process, several theories have tried to explain its causes. Among them, the somatic mutation theory, the free radical theory, the natural cross-linking of biomolecules, the immune theory, the telomere theory, the biological clock theory, and the toxic theory are among the most widely accepted hypotheses. However, no single doctrine can fully explain the aging process. Aging is mainly manifested in the structural and functional aging and decline of organisms, and as organisms continue to age, most organs will experience varying degrees of aging and irreversible damage, although it is directly related to many diseases, aging itself is generally not considered as a disease. Any organism ages slowly over time, with the most easily observable manifestations in external changes such as diminished hair color and sagging skin. Numerous studies have shown that mitochondria are instrumental in mitigating aging as the primary provider of cellular energy, providing energy for cell growth and development as well as being the center of cellular metabolism; therefore, once mitochondria become faulty, a large number of cells will lose function, age, and thus die. In this paper, we will discuss in detail the relationship between mitochondria and aging and how external interventions can promote the function of mitochondria in delaying aging.