Ageing is of perennial interest as a universal feature in all human societies. The genetic background and biochemical bases of ageing processes are currently being revealed in unprecedented detail. It is emerging that one of the main hurdles to be overcome in achieving a long and healthy lifespan is the maintenance of a properly functioning immune system. The main cause of death in people who have achieved "successful ageing" (which mostly means not having succumbed to cancer or cardiovascular disease) is infectious disease, caused by immunosenescence. This book contains chapters by many of the leaders in the field of immune-related issues in ageing and remediation.
This authoritative handbook covers all aspects of immunosenescence, with contributions from experts in the research and clinical areas. It examines methods and models for studying immunosenescence; genetics; mechanisms including receptors and signal transduction; clinical relevance in disease states including infections, autoimmunity, cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, frailty and osteoporosis; and much more.
The book aims to cover basic physiologic functions of melatonin, and its therapeutic applications in humans for a variety of clinically relevant disorders. This book contains chapters on the recent aspects of melatonin physiology, its receptors and their role in mitochondrial function, its immunomodulatory role and importance in seasonal dependent diseases, role in human reproduction, role in sleep, circadian rhythm and sleep disorders, role in neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, melatonin’s therapeutic use in neurobehavioral disorders in children, migraine and tension headache is also covered in this book. Melatonin’s antioxidant role in Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy and in glaucoma have also been discussed in short chapters. Two major melatonin agonists, ramelteon and agomelatine are discussed extensively on their current clinical application and ongoing research. Two chapters on agomelatonin and its role in mood disorders, particularly depressive disorders, are an important feature of this book. The chapters are written by experts from the global academia recognized for their original research and published work in the field of melatonin science.
Human immunosenescence contributes to morbidity and mortality in later life. Understanding the reasons for age-associated alterations to protective immunity in the elderly would ultimately improve and extend healthspan. The majority of the papers collected in this remarkable and timely volume address the mechanisms responsible for immune ageing in humans. They also consider what might be accomplished to redress the erosion of immune competence with age.
Plant Bioactives as Natural Panacea Against Age-induced Diseases: Nutraceuticals and Functional Lead Compounds for Drug Development presents comprehensive information on the complications of aging and the bioactive phytochemicals that in specific herbal formulations, including beverages, can mitigate them. The book extensively describes the current information on the role of plant bioactive components in delaying or preventing the aging process and associated complications, while also covering different strategies and scientific evidence of possible synergistic effects of these studies, enabling the formulation of more effective natural drugs to intervene in aging and associated events. Chapters cover the broad areas of plant bioactive compounds in promoting healthy aging and longevity, including balancing glucose homeostasis, in cognitive impairments, age-related diseases, food trends and the anti-aging diet in Asia and other regions, as well as the social and economic impact of dietary patterns in aging interventions. Written by a team of global experts. - Describes plant bioactives for specific age disorders - Focuses on the discovery of new herbal origin drugs and potential druggable targets for the treatment of chronic diseases of world importance - Includes cutting-edge research information on cell senescence during aging and assesses the plant bioactive compounds
Stem cell transplantation may be complicated by treatment-related mortality and like the immune system that it regenerates has equal potential to either create and preserve or destroy. The dual nature that defines stem cells is differentiation that ultimately leads to death and self-renewal, which leads to immortality. What types of stem cells are there? How are they collected? What are their attributes and characteristics? This textbook devotes many chapters to familiarize the reader with the basic science, clinical aspects, and new questions being raised in the field of stem cell biology. Blood stem cells for tolerance and tissue regeneration are a rapidly developing research and clinical field that is being applied to autoimmune diseases. In clinical trials, autologous hematopoietic (blood) stem cells are being used to reduce the cytopenic interval following intense immune suppressive transplant regimens. While as yet not delineated, some possible mechanisms and pathways leading to tolerance after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are suggested in these chapters. Tissue regeneration from blood stem cells is also suggested by animal experiments on stem cell plasticity or metamoirosis (i.e., change in fate) as described within this textbook. Ongoing early clinical trials on tissue regeneration from blood stem cells are described in the chapter on stem cell therapy for cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. Whether autologous hematopoietic stem cells, through the process of mobilization and reinfusion, may be manipulated to contribute to tissue repair in autoimmune diseases is a future area for translational research.
Molecular Basis of Nutrition and Aging: A Volume in the Molecular Nutrition Series focuses on the nutritional issues associated with aging and the important metabolic consequences of diet, nutrition, and health. The book is subdivided into four parts that reflect the impact of nutrition from a biomolecular level to individual health. In Part One, chapters explore the general aspects of aging, aging phenotypes, and relevant aspects of nutrition related to the elderly and healthy aging. Part Two includes molecular and cellular targets of nutrition in aging, with chapters exploring lipid peroxidation, inflammaging, anabolic and catabolic signaling, epigenetics, DNA damage and repair, redox homeostasis, and insulin sensitivity, among others. Part Three looks at system-level and organ targets of nutrition in aging, including a variety of tissues, systems, and diseases, such as immune function, the cardiovascular system, the brain and dementia, muscle, bone, lung, and many others. Finally, Part Four focuses on the health effects of specific dietary compounds and dietary interventions in aging, including vitamin D, retinol, curcumin, folate, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, vitamin B, fish oil, vitamin E, resveratrol, polyphenols, vegetables, and fruit, as well as the current nutritional recommendations. - Offers updated information and a perspectives on important future developments to different professionals involved in the basic and clinical research on all major nutritional aspects of aging - Explores how nutritional factors are involved in the pathogenesis of aging across body systems - Investigates the molecular and genetic basis of aging and cellular senescence through the lens of the rapidly evolving field of molecular nutrition
Examines the mechanisms of both the innate and adaptive immune systems as they relate to infection and disease. • Explores the underlying mechanisms of immunity and the many sequelae of host-pathogen interactions, ranging from the sterile eradication of the invader, to controlled chronic infection, to pathologic corollaries of the host-pathogen crosstalk. • Discusses the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune disorders and cancers that are induced by infectious agents but then become independent of the infection process. • Serves as a resource for immunologists, molecular microbiologists, infectious disease clinicians, researchers, and students.
