Phenotypic Screening in as a Tool for the Discovery of New Geroprotective Drugs.

Population aging is one of the largest challenges of the 21st century. As more people live to advanced ages, the prevalence of age-related diseases and disabilities will increase placing an ever larger burden on our healthcare system. A potential solution to this conundrum is to develop treatments that prevent, delay or reduce the severity of age-related diseases by decreasing the rate of the aging process.

Metformin as a geroprotector.

Abstract Geroprotectors are drugs that decrease the rate of aging and therefore extend life span. Metformin has been described as a geroprotector, and several studies have shown that metformin can slow down the rate of aging. The mechanisms behind the geroprotective effect of metformin are less established.

Characteristics, formation, and pathophysiology of glucosepane: a major protein cross-link.

Advanced glycation end products are the results of a series of chemical reactions collectively known as the Maillard reaction, or nonenzymatic glycation, and sometimes cross-link proteins, thereby impairing their normal function. Glucosepane is the most abundant protein cross-link found in vivo so far and mainly has been shown to accumulate in the extracellular matrix, where it cross-links collagen. Levels of glucosepane increase with aging.