Stem Cell Rejuvenation and the Role of Autophagy in Age Retardation by Caloric Restriction: An Update

The document from October 1, 2018, provides an overview of how caloric restriction (CR) can retard aging and rejuvenate stem cells through the process of autophagy. It explains that aging negatively impacts stem cells, leading to organ function decline due to stem cell exhaustion and damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Autophagy helps reduce ROS and maintain stem cell health by degrading damaged cellular components. CR is shown to induce autophagy, which in turn can delay senescence and extend lifespan by activating pathways such as AMPK, which leads to the reduction of ROS and mutated mitochondrial DNA, and the inhibition of p16INK4a, a protein associated with aging. The document also notes that CR mimetics like metformin may emulate these effects, but further research is needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms involved. Additionally, the use of network approaches and artificial intelligence is proposed to gain deeper insights into aging processes.