Az emberi élettartam megnövelésének lehetőségei

Abstract

Abstract: The human lifespan in the developed countries significantly increased, from about 40 years to 80 years, in the last hundred years. This change is due to multiple factors, however, the development of medicine and pharmacological research as well as social well-being and social care are primarily important. For aging, the attrition of the parts of the whole organism are responsible, which is caused by endogenous oxidation processes (free radicals), which can destroy any cells in the organism. The injury of the defense or regulatory organ systems (immune system, neuroendocrine system) influences the whole organism, causing its decline (aging), later complete loss of abilities (death). The organism has built-in mechanisms for defence (e.g., antioxidant enzymes), however, their functions are not enough in our modern, chemically seriously contaminated age and further support is needed. This support is represented by antioxidants, as vitamins A, C, and E, resveratrol, and pharmaceuticals as rapamycine and rapalogs, selegiline, metformin etc., which have important roles in the increase of lifespan and health span. The early start of treatments and the use of pharmaceutical combinations seem to be important. The paper introduces our today’s’ lifespan prolongers and discusses their effects as well as points to the ways of future development. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(41): 1655–1663.