The Potential Role of m6A RNA Methylation in the Aging Process and Aging-Associated Diseases

N6-Methyladenosine in Vascular Aging and Related Diseases: Clinical Perspectives

Aging leads to progressive deterioration of the structure and function of arteries, which eventually contributes to the development of vascular aging-related diseases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent modification in eukaryotic RNAs. This reversible m6A RNA modification is dynamically regulated by writers, erasers, and readers, playing a critical role in various physiological and pathological conditions by affecting almost all stages of the RNA life cycle. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of m6A in vascular aging and related diseases, shedding light on its potential clinical significance. In this paper, we comprehensively discuss the current understanding of m6A in vascular aging and its clinical implications. We discuss the molecular insights into m6A and its association with clinical realities, emphasizing its significance in unraveling the mechanisms underlying vascular aging. Furthermore, we explore the possibility of m6A and its regulators as clinical indicators for early diagnosis and prognosis prediction and investigate the therapeutic potential of m6A-associated anti-aging approaches. We also examine the challenges and future directions in this field and highlight the necessity of integrating m6A knowledge into patient-centered care. Finally, we emphasize the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to advance the field of m6A research and its clinical application.

Increased PTCHD4 expression via m6A modification of PTCHD4 mRNA promotes senescent cell survival

RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), critically modulate protein expression programs in a range of cellular processes. Although the transcriptomes of cells undergoing senescence are strongly regulated, the landscape and impact of m6A modifications during senescence are poorly understood. Here, we report a robust m6A modification of PTCHD4 mRNA, encoding Patched Domain-Containing Protein 4, in senescent cells. The METTL3/METTL14 complex was found to incorporate the m6A modification on PTCHD4 mRNA; addition of m6A rendered PTCHD4 mRNA more stable and increased PTCHD4 production. MeRIP RT-qPCR and eCLIP analyses were used to map this m6A modification to the last exon of PTCHD4 mRNA. Further investigation identified IGF2BP1, but not other m6A readers, as responsible for the stabilization and increased abundance of m6A-modified PTCHD4 mRNA. Silencing PTCHD4, a transmembrane protein, enhanced growth arrest and DNA damage in pre-senescent cells and sensitized them to senolysis and apoptosis. Our results indicate that m6A modification of PTCHD4 mRNA increases the production of PTCHD4, a protein associated with senescent cell survival, supporting the notion that regulating m6A modification on specific mRNAs could be exploited to eliminate senescent cells for therapeutic benefit.

Regulatory roles of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation in RNA processing and non-communicable diseases

Post-transcriptional RNA modification is an emerging epigenetic control mechanism in cells that is important in many different cellular and organismal processes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most prevalent, prolific, and ubiquitous internal transcriptional alterations in eukaryotic mRNAs, making it an important topic in the field of Epigenetics. m6A methylation acts as a dynamical regulatory process that regulates the activity of genes and participates in multiple physiological processes, by supporting multiple aspects of essential mRNA metabolic processes, including pre-mRNA splicing, nuclear export, translation, miRNA synthesis, and stability. Extensive research has linked aberrations in m6A modification and m6A-associated proteins to a wide range of human diseases. However, the impact of m6A on mRNA metabolism and its pathological connection between m6A and other non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, liver diseases, and cancer remains in fragmentation. Here, we review the existing understanding of the overall role of mechanisms by which m6A exerts its activities and address new discoveries that highlight m6A's diverse involvement in gene expression regulation. We discuss m6A deposition on mRNA and its consequences on degradation, translation, and transcription, as well as m6A methylation of non-coding chromosomal-associated RNA species. This study could give new information about the molecular process, early detection, tailored treatment, and predictive evaluation of human non-communicable diseases like cancer. We also explore more about new data that suggests targeting m6A regulators in diseases may have therapeutic advantages.

MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by abnormalities within neurons of the brain or spinal cord that gradually lose function, eventually leading to cell death. Upon examination of affected tissue, pathological changes reveal a loss of synapses, misfolded proteins, and activation of immune cells-all indicative of disease progression-before severe clinical symptoms become apparent. Early detection of NDs is crucial for potentially administering targeted medications that may delay disease advancement. Given their complex pathophysiological features and diverse clinical symptoms, there is a pressing need for sensitive and effective diagnostic methods for NDs. Biomarkers such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential tools for detecting these diseases. We explore the pivotal role of miRNAs in the context of NDs, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The review delves into the intricate relationship between aging and NDs, highlighting structural and functional alterations in the aging brain and their implications for disease development. It elucidates how miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins are implicated in the pathogenesis of NDs and underscores the importance of investigating their expression and function in aging. Significantly, miRNAs exert substantial influence on post-translational modifications (PTMs), impacting not just the nervous system but a wide array of tissues and cell types as well. Specific miRNAs have been found to target proteins involved in ubiquitination or de-ubiquitination processes, which play a significant role in regulating protein function and stability. We discuss the link between miRNA, PTM, and NDs. Additionally, the review discusses the significance of miRNAs as biomarkers for early disease detection, offering insights into diagnostic strategies.

METTL14 affects UVB-induced human dermal fibroblasts photoaging via miR-100-3p biogenesis in an m6A-dependent manner

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to skin photoaging, which increases the risk of skin tumors. This study aims to investigate how microRNA m6A modification contributes to skin photoaging. This study found that skin fibroblasts exposed to a single UVB dose of 30 mJ/cm2 exhibited characteristics of photoaging. The m6A level of total RNA decreased in photoaged cells with a down-regulated level of METTL14, and overexpression of METTL14 displayed a photoprotective function. Moreover, miR-100-3p was a downstream target of METTL14. And METTL14 could affect pri-miR-100 processing to mature miR-100-3p in an m6A-dependent manner via DGCR8. Furthermore, miR-100-3p targeted at 3' end untranslated region of ERRFI1 mRNA with an inhibitory effect on translation. Additionally, photoprotective effects of overexpression of METTL14 were reversed by miR-100-3p inhibitor or overexpression of ERRFI1. In UVB-induced photoaging of human skin fibroblasts, METTL14-dependent m6A can regulate miR-100-3p maturation via DGCR8 and affect skin fibroblasts photoaging through miR-100-3p/ERRFI1 axis.

M6A methylation-regulated autophagy may be a new therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration

Degeneration of intervertebral discs is considered one of the most important causes of low back pain and disability. The intervertebral disc (IVD) is characterized by its susceptibility to various stressors that accelerate the senescence and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells, resulting in the loss of these cells and dysfunction of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, how to reduce the loss of nucleus pulposus cells under stress environment is the main problem in treating intervertebral disc degeneration. Autophagy is a kind of programmed cell death, which can provide energy by recycling substances in cells. It is considered to be an effective method to reduce the senescence and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells under stress. However, further research is needed on the mechanisms by which autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells is regulated under stress environments. M6A methylation, as the most extensive RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, participates in various cellular biological functions and is believed to be related to the regulation of autophagy under stress environments, may play a significant role in nucleus pulposus responding to stress. This article first summarizes the effects of various stressors on the death and autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells. Then, it summarizes the regulatory mechanism of m6A methylation on autophagy-related genes under stress and the role of these autophagy genes in nucleus pulposus cells. Finally, it proposes that the methylation modification of autophagy-related genes regulated by m6A may become a new treatment approach for intervertebral disc degeneration, providing new insights and ideas for the clinical treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Dynamics of N6-methyladenosine modification during aging and their potential roles in the degeneration of intervertebral disc

Background

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) dynamics in the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) aging remain largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the distribution and pattern of m6A modification in nucleus pulpous (NP) tissues of rats at different ages.

Methods

Histological staining and MRI were performed to evaluate the degeneration of IVD. The expression of m6A modifiers was analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blot. Subsequently, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation next generation sequencing and RNA-seq were conducted to identify differences in m6A methylome and transcriptome of NP tissues.

Results

Compared to 2-month-old rats, we found significant changes in the global m6A level and the expression of Mettl3 and FTO in NP tissues from 20-month-old rats. During the progression of NP aging, there were 1126 persistently differentially m6A peaks within 931 genes, and 51 persistently differentially expressed genes. GO and KEGG analyses showed that these m6A peaks and m6A modified genes were mainly engaged in the biological processes and pathways of intervertebral disc degermation (IDD), such as extracellular matrix metabolism, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways. Meanwhile, conjoint analyses and Venn diagram revealed a total of 405 aging related genes contained significant methylation and expression levels in 20-month-old rats in contrast to 2-month-old and 10-month-old rats. Moreover, it was found that four aging related genes with hypermethylated modification including BUB1, CA12, Adamts1, and Adamts4 depicted differentially expressed at protein level, of which BUB1 and CA12 were decreased, while Adamts1 and Adamts4 were increased during the progression of NP aging.

Conclusion

Collectively, this study elucidated the distribution and pattern of m6A modification during the aging of IVD. Furthermore, the m6A modified genes were involved in the IDD related biological processes and pathways. These findings may provide novel insights into the mechanisms and therapies of IDD from the perspective of aging.

Comparison of transcriptome-wide N6-methyladenosine profiles from healthy trio families reveals regulator-mediated methylation alterations

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a highly conserved RNA modification found in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs). It plays a vital role in regulating various biological processes. Dysregulation of m6A modifications has been linked to a range of complex genetic diseases in humans. However, there has been a lack of comprehensive characterization and comparison of m6A modifications at the transcriptome-wide level within families. To address this gap, we profiled transcriptome-wide m6A methylation in 18 individuals across 6 Yoruba trio families. The m6A methylomes of these 18 individuals revealed that m6A modifications in children showed greater similarity to each other than to their parents. This suggests that m6A modifications are influenced by multiple factors rather than solely determined by genetic factors. Additionally, we found that mRNAs exhibiting m6A modifications specific to children were enriched in cell cycle control processes, while those with m6A modifications specific to parents were associated with chromatin modifications. Furthermore, our analysis on the interactions between differentially expressed m6A-related regulatory genes and age-related genes suggested that age might be one of the factors influencing m6A modifications. In summary, our study provided a valuable dataset that highlighted the differences and functional diversity of m6A modifications within and between trio families.

Multimodal Omics Approaches to Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in physiological capacities and an increased risk of aging-associated disorders. An increasing body of experimental evidence shows that aging is a complex biological process coordinately regulated by multiple factors at different molecular layers. Thus, it is difficult to delineate the overall systematic aging changes based on single-layer data. Instead, multimodal omics approaches, in which data are acquired and analyzed using complementary omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, are needed for gaining insights into the precise molecular regulatory mechanisms that trigger aging. In recent years, multimodal omics sequencing technologies that can reveal complex regulatory networks and specific phenotypic changes have been developed and widely applied to decode aging and age-related diseases. This review summarizes the classification and progress of multimodal omics approaches, as well as the rapidly growing number of articles reporting on their application in the field of aging research, and outlines new developments in the clinical treatment of age-related diseases based on omics technologies.

Downregulation of ALKBH5 rejuvenates aged human mesenchymal stem cells and enhances their therapeutic efficacy in myocardial infarction

Despite promising results in myocardial infarction (MI), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy is limited by cell senescence. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) messenger RNA methylation has been reported to be closely associated with cell senescence. Nonetheless, its role in the regulation of MSC senescence remains unclear. We examined the role of ALKB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) in regulating MSC senescence and determined whether ALKBH5 downregulation could rejuvenate aged MSCs (AMSCs) to improve their therapeutic efficacy for MI. RNA methylation was determined by m6A dot blotting assay. MSC senescence was evaluated by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. A mouse model of acute MI was established by ligation of the left anterior decedent coronary artery (LAD). Compared with young MSCs (YMSCs), m6A level was significantly reduced but ALKBH5 was greatly increased in AMSCs. Overexpression of ALKBH5 reduced m6A modification and accelerated YMSC senescence. Conversely, ALKBH5 knockdown increased m6A modifications and alleviated AMSC senescence. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 regulated the m6A modification and stability of CDKN1C mRNA, which further upregulated CDKN1C expression, leading to MSC senescence. CDKN1C overexpression ameliorated the inhibition of cellular senescence of ALKBH5 siRNA-treated AMSCs. More importantly, compared with AMSCs, shALKBH5-AMSCs transplantation provided a superior cardioprotective effect against MI in mice by improving MSC survival and angiogenesis. We determined that ALKBH5 accelerated MSC senescence through m6A modification-dependent stabilization of the CDKN1C transcript, providing a potential target for MSC rejuvenation. ALKBH5 knockdown rejuvenated AMSCs and enhanced cardiac function when transplanted into the mouse heart following infarction.

Autophagy and Senescence: The Molecular Mechanisms and Implications in Liver Diseases

The liver is the primary organ accountable for complex physiological functions, including lipid metabolism, toxic chemical degradation, bile acid synthesis, and glucose metabolism. Liver function homeostasis is essential for the stability of bodily functions and is involved in the complex regulation of the balance between cell proliferation and cell death. Cell proliferation-halting mechanisms, including autophagy and senescence, are implicated in the development of several liver diseases, such as cholestasis, viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Among various cell death mechanisms, autophagy is a highly conserved and self-degradative cellular process that recycles damaged organelles, cellular debris, and proteins. This process also provides the substrate for further metabolism. A defect in the autophagy machinery can lead to premature diseases, accelerated aging, inflammatory state, tumorigenesis, and cellular senescence. Senescence, another cell death type, is an active player in eliminating premalignant cells. At the same time, senescent cells can affect the function of neighboring cells by secreting the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and induce paracrine senescence. Autophagy can promote and delay cellular senescence under different contexts. This review decodes the roles of autophagy and senescence in multiple liver diseases to achieve a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and implications of autophagy and senescence in various liver diseases.

Effects of Methionine Restriction from Different Sources on Sperm Quality in Aging Mice

Decreased sperm quality causing poor pregnancy outcomes in aging males is a common problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of methionine restriction on sperm quality in aging mice, using methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBA) as the methionine source, with a view to providing nutritional strategies to mitigate the decline in sperm quality in aging livestock. Fifty-one 6-week-old male mice were randomly divided into four groups: the non-aging group (NA, 0.86% methionine), the control diet group (CD, 0.86% methionine), the methionine-restricted group (MR, 0.17% methionine) and the HMTBA-restricted group (HR, 0.17% methionine). The mice in the CD, MR and HR groups were injected with a daily dose of 0.25 mL/20 g body weight of 10% D-galactose to establish an aging model. The test period was 42 days. The results showed that aging mice in the CD group had impaired testicular morphology and significantly decreased sperm quality compared to those in the NA group. Aging mice in the MR and HR groups showed attenuated impaired testicular morphology and improved sperm quality, especially sperm acrosomal integrity and membrane integrity, compared to mice in the CD group. In addition, mice in the MR and HR groups had reduced testicular inflammation and oxidative stress, increased spermidine levels, and reduced sperm RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels. Spermidine levels were positively correlated, whereas sperm RNA m6A and DNA 5mC levels were negatively correlated with sperm quality parameters. Our study suggests that methionine restriction alleviates the decline in sperm quality in aging mice, which may be related to changes in methionine metabolism and inhibition of sperm DNA and RNA methylation.

Deciphering RNA m6 A regulation in aging: Perspectives on current advances and future directions

N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is a dynamic and reversible RNA modification that has emerged as a crucial player in the life cycle of RNA, thus playing a pivotal role in various biological processes. In recent years, the potential involvement of RNA m6 A modification in aging and age-related diseases has gained increasing attention, making it a promising target for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and developing new therapeutic strategies. This Perspective article will summarize the current advances in aging-related m6 A regulation, highlighting the most significant findings and their implications for our understanding of cellular senescence and aging, and the potential for targeting RNA m6 A regulation as a therapeutic strategy. We will also discuss the limitations and challenges in this field and provide insights into future research directions. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the field, this Perspective article aims to facilitate further advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and to identify new therapeutic targets for aging-related diseases.

Ribonucleic Acid-Mediated Control of Protein Translation Under Stress

Significance: The need of cells to constantly respond to endogenous and exogenous stress has necessitated the evolution of pathways to counter the deleterious effects of stress and to restore cellular homeostasis. The inability to activate a timely and adequate response can lead to disease and is a hallmark of aging. Besides protein-coding genes, cells contain a plethora of noncoding regulatory elements that allow cells to respond rapidly and efficiently to external stimuli by activating highly specific and tightly controlled mechanisms. Many of these programs converge on the regulation of translation, one of the most energy-consuming processes in cells. Recent Advances: The noncoding dimension of translational regulation includes short and long noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs), as well as messenger RNA features, such as the sequence and modification status of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), that do not change the amino acid sequence of the produced protein. Critical Issues: In this review, we discuss the regulatory role of the nonprotein-coding components of translation under stress, particularly oxidative stress. We conclude that the regulation of translation through ncRNAs, UTRs, and nucleotide modifications is emerging as a critical component of the stress response. Future Directions: Further areas of study using long-read sequencing technologies will be discussed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 374-389.

m 6A methylation in cellular senescence of age-associated diseases

Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible cellular growth arrest that occurs in response to various stresses. In addition to exiting the cell cycle, senescent cells undergo many phenotypic alterations, including metabolic reprogramming, chromatin rearrangement, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) development. Furthermore, senescent cells can affect most physiological and pathological processes, such as physiological development; tissue homeostasis; tumour regression; and age-associated disease progression, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension. Although corresponding anti-senescence therapies are actively being explored for the treatment of age-associated diseases, the specific regulatory mechanisms of senescence remain unclear. N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A), a chemical modification commonly distributed in eukaryotic RNA, plays an important role in biological processes such as translation, shearing, and RNA transcription. Numerous studies have shown that m 6A plays an important regulatory role in cellular senescence and aging-related disease. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of m 6A modifications in cellular senescence with regard to oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere alterations, and SASP development. Additionally, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease regulation via m 6A-mediated cellular senescence is discussed. We further discuss the challenges and prospects of m 6A in cellular senescence and age-associated diseases with the aim of providing rational strategies for the treatment of these age-associated diseases.

Longevity, Centenarians and Modified Cellular Proteodynamics

We have shown before that at least one intracellular proteolytic system seems to be at least as abundant in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of centenarians as in the same cells of young individuals (with the cells of the elderly population showing a significant dip compared to both young and centenarian cohorts). Despite scarce published data, in this review, we tried to answer the question how do different types of cells of longevous people-nonagenarians to (semi)supercentenarians-maintain the quality and quantity of their structural and functional proteins? Specifically, we asked if more robust proteodynamics participate in longevity. We hypothesized that at least some factors controlling the maintenance of cellular proteomes in centenarians will remain at the "young" level (just performing better than in the average elderly). In our quest, we considered multiple aspects of cellular protein maintenance (proteodynamics), including the quality of transcribed DNA, its epigenetic changes, fidelity and quantitative features of transcription of both mRNA and noncoding RNAs, the process of translation, posttranslational modifications leading to maturation and functionalization of nascent proteins, and, finally, multiple facets of the process of elimination of misfolded, aggregated, and otherwise dysfunctional proteins (autophagy). We also included the status of mitochondria, especially production of ATP necessary for protein synthesis and maintenance. We found that with the exception of the latter and of chaperone function, practically all of the considered aspects did show better performance in centenarians than in the average elderly, and most of them approached the levels/activities seen in the cells of young individuals.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification as a metabolic switch between plant cell survival and death in leaf senescence

Crop losses caused by climate change and various (a)biotic stressors negatively affect agriculture and crop production. Therefore, it is vital to develop a proper understanding of the complex response(s) to (a)biotic stresses and delineate them for each crop plant as a means to enable translational research. In plants, the improvement of crop quality by m⁶A editing is believed to be a promising strategy. As a reaction to environmental changes, m⁶A modification showed a high degree of sensitivity and complexity. We investigated differences in gene medleys between dark-induced leaf senescence (DILS) and developmental leaf senescence in barley, including inter alia RNA modifications active in DILS. The identified upregulated genes in DILS include RNA methyltransferases of different RNA types, embracing enzymes modifying mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. We have defined a decisive moment in the DILS model which determines the point of no return, but the mechanism of its control is yet to be uncovered. This indicates the possibility of an unknown additional switch between cell survival and cell death. Discoveries of m⁶A RNA modification changes in certain RNA species in different stages of leaf senescence may uncover the role of such modifications in metabolic reprogramming. Nonetheless, there is no such data about the process of leaf senescence in plants. In this scope, the prospect of finding connections between the process of senescence and m⁶A modification of RNA in plants seems to be compelling.

Epigenetic regulation of aging: implications for interventions of aging and diseases

Aging is accompanied by the decline of organismal functions and a series of prominent hallmarks, including genetic and epigenetic alterations. These aging-associated epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation, and RNA modification, all of which participate in the regulation of the aging process, and hence contribute to aging-related diseases. Therefore, understanding the epigenetic mechanisms in aging will provide new avenues to develop strategies to delay aging. Indeed, aging interventions based on manipulating epigenetic mechanisms have led to the alleviation of aging or the extension of the lifespan in animal models. Small molecule-based therapies and reprogramming strategies that enable epigenetic rejuvenation have been developed for ameliorating or reversing aging-related conditions. In addition, adopting health-promoting activities, such as caloric restriction, exercise, and calibrating circadian rhythm, has been demonstrated to delay aging. Furthermore, various clinical trials for aging intervention are ongoing, providing more evidence of the safety and efficacy of these therapies. Here, we review recent work on the epigenetic regulation of aging and outline the advances in intervention strategies for aging and age-associated diseases. A better understanding of the critical roles of epigenetics in the aging process will lead to more clinical advances in the prevention of human aging and therapy of aging-related diseases.

Recurrent Hypoglycemia Impaired Vascular Function in Advanced T2DM Rats by Inducing Pyroptosis

Background

Hypoglycemia is a dangerous side effect of intensive glucose control in diabetes. Even though it leads to adverse cardiovascular events, the effects of hypoglycemia on vascular biology in diabetes have not been adequately studied.

Methods

Aged Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet and given streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Acute and recurrent hypoglycemia were then induced by glucose via insulin administration. Vascular function, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis levels in aortic tissue were assessed by physiological and biochemical methods.

Results

Hypoglycemia was associated with a marked decrease in vascular function, elevated oxidative stress, and elevated pyroptosis levels in the thoracic aorta. The changes in oxidative stress and pyroptosis were greater in rats with recurrent hypoglycemia than in those with acute hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

Hypoglycemia impaired vascular function in aged rats with T2DM by inducing pyroptosis. The extent of injury increased with the duration of blood glucose fluctuation.

The Role of Antioxidants in the Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Senescence

Cellular senescence is an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest occurring in response to stressful stimuli, such as telomere attrition, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species, and oncogenic proteins. Although beneficial and protective in several physiological processes, an excessive senescent cell burden has been involved in various pathological conditions including aging, tissue dysfunction and chronic diseases. Oxidative stress (OS) can drive senescence due to a loss of balance between pro-oxidant stimuli and antioxidant defences. Therefore, the identification and characterization of antioxidant compounds capable of preventing or counteracting the senescent phenotype is of major interest. However, despite the considerable number of studies, a comprehensive overview of the main antioxidant molecules capable of counteracting OS-induced senescence is still lacking. Here, besides a brief description of the molecular mechanisms implicated in OS-mediated aging, we review and discuss the role of enzymes, mitochondria-targeting compounds, vitamins, carotenoids, organosulfur compounds, nitrogen non-protein molecules, minerals, flavonoids, and non-flavonoids as antioxidant compounds with an anti-aging potential, therefore offering insights into innovative lifespan-extending approaches.