It has been shown that poor sleeps can damage ones ability to deal with oxidative stress. This can in turn negatively inflict upon health. The outcome could be so sever that the speed of aging increases and the lifespan of a person falls.
A recent study conducted on fruit flies by a group of scientists from Oregon State University has depicted a key gene that improves the control of circadian rhythms and thereby enhances the aging process of the fruit flies. However, if the circadian rhythm is destabilized the flies might experience a shorter lifespan.
It was shown in the research that young fruit flies that did not possess this gene were capable to handle more stress. However, older fruit flies without this gene were severely worse-off. This was reported in the ‘Journal Aging”.
According to Natraj Krishnan, an associate researcher from the OSU Department of Zoology, the mechanism of aging of organisms is slowly being identified. The study proposes that young individuals with this particular gene are more able to deal with stresses. Yet, the absent of the same insult at a later age produce genetic damage and generates health pathologies that are fatal. Our biological clock is influenced by this particular gene and can cause early death, if absent.
Yet, the genetic damage occurring in fruit flies might not necessarily correlate to other animals or humans. According to Krishnan, the molecular functioning of genes are practically the same as their mechanisms has been preserved through millions of years in their historical evolution. Many gene expressions like “period” gene found in fruit files are found in human cells. This could prove the result to be highly relevant.
Moreover, the research scrutinized one of four genes that are mainly related to the biological clock of animals. For instance the rhythms are associated to the cycle of the day (night and day). It examines the effect of sleep, like inadequate sleep and working shift-time causing disruption to normal sleep.
The study that was conducted focused mainly on examining some normal fruit flies and mutant flies without the ‘period’ gene.
Source: The Hindu
Sat, Mar 6, 2010
Anti Aging, Lifestyle, Longevity