The hypoxic response theory on aging is a subsidiary theory on aging that is associated with the hypoxic response. In other words the cells respond to survival when there is a low amount of oxygen present.
“Research on” C.elegans nematode worms have proven to experience an increase in lifespan when altering the hypoxic response. For this primitive organism, it appeared that if the hypoxic response was activated when regular level oxygen prevailed, the nematode (worm) had a prolonged life. This experiment was conducted on a breed nematodes, which were unable to generate a protein called VHL-1, which is used to eliminate HIF, another protein having the function to turn off hypoxic response in case of oxygen presence.
The research did not only conclude that the nematodes lived longer but also with less “lipofusicn” and risk of toxic proteins that related to Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and other “aged-associated diseases”.
A connection between calorie restriction and hypoxic response can be made. They tend to produce similar effects, which is to both increase health-span and lifespan. Yet, hypoxic response uses another pathway compared to dietary restriction, the VHL-1 and HIF-1 proteins. It is still uncertain how HIF proteins enable this extension in lifespan. Hypoxic response seems to be functioning for advanced animals such as human as well.
This is yet a subsidiary candidate. There has not been any test (as much as I know) on mammals, mice and humans to prove that hypoxic response can increase longevity for them.
At the University of Washington, Dr. Matt Kaeberlein assistant professor of pathology, says that it is still very early to determine whether this might one day become an anti-age intervention for human. As, VHL-1 is related to tumors and other predicaments, and HIF activation will only be possible to some cells, those that do not replicate fast like muscle cells and brain cells.
Reference
1. Anti- aging firewalls the science and technology of longevity.
Fri, Jan 8, 2010
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Theories