Why Do We Age? | Cellular Senescence and Senescent Cells
Summary
- During aging, more and more senescent cells arise in our tissues.
- Senescent cells are cells that have become damaged, but that resist dying. They keep staying alive, and secrete substances that damage surrounding, still healthy cells.
- Cellular senescence undermines the proper functioning of tissues, especially when they accumulate above a certain threshold, secreting substances that are proinflammatory, damage the tissues, and accelerate aging.
- Specific substances can destroy senescent cells. Such substances are called “senolytics”. Examples of natural senolytics are fisetin and quercetin.
As we grow older, senescent cells increase in frequency throughout our bodies. Senescent cells are sometimes called “zombie” cells because they are damaged cells that normally should be dead but they stay alive. Senescent cells secrete substances that damage the healthy surrounding cells, contributing to aging.
Zombie Cells and their Role in Aging
Senescent cells arise from normal cells. When normal cells get too damaged (they accumulate too much DNA damage for example), they could devolve into cancer cells. To prevent this, breaks are put on these damaged cells: they cannot divide anymore, so that they cannot become cancer cells. They became senescent cells.
These senescent cells can no longer divide, but they do secrete all kinds of substances that damage the surrounding healthy cells. Such substances are pro-inflammatory compounds (cytokines), matrix metalloproteinases that break down tissue, IGF, and so on
The Aging Process
When we get older, senescent cells accumulate in the skin, contributing to sagging of the skin and wrinkles. Senescent cells accumulate in the joints, damaging the cartilage, contributing to osteoarthritis. Senescent cells in the blood vessel walls lead to stiffer blood vessels which are more prone to breaking and clogging up.
Senescent cells secrete proinflammatory substances that circulate in the body, damaging stem cells, and hindering their functioning. A proinflammatory environment can also stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Normally, the immune system clears up senescent cells, but during aging the immune system starts to decline so more and more senescent cells arise in the body. Studies show that clearing away senescent cells can ameliorate various aging-diseases and symptoms at the same time.
NOVOS’ Approach to Senescent Cells
NOVOS Core contains ingredients that can inhibit the development of senescent cells, such as fisetin.
NOVOS Core has been researched at the Ageing Research Laboratories at Newcastle University (UK), where they specialize in cellular senescence and aging.
The study found that the combination of multiple NOVOS ingredients could help the body better deal with senescent cells. The study was completed under the guidance of Dr. Thomas von Zglinicki, Professor for Cell Gerontology at Newcastle University.
In fact, the reduction in the size of senescent cells was at an order of magnitude comparable to the gold standard prescription longevity drug, rapamycin.
You can learn more about the results of that study here.
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