Theory of aging
The results of theoretical research

Vlasov V.F.
Science, Physics, Head of Research Department, Tyumen, Russia

A new theory of aging, which explains all the known symptoms
related to aging (a short message)

1. Introduction

Humanity has always dreamed of long living, of ways to elongate youth, stop or at least to slow down aging. Although, positive results concerning the purpose were not achieved for several thousand years. However, despite failure to slow down aging and achieve rejuvenation the topic is still urgent. The number of aged population, experienced and professional people put aside from creation labor process due to invalescence is growing; aging slows down the development of scientific and technological progress. Gerontology purpose is to find reasons of aging and search for effective methods of controlling it. Modern scientists follow the tendency of their precursors and try to solve the complex problem – to slow down aging and possibly to return youth - using modern knowledge of living organism and knowledge-intensive technologies for research. However, to reach success concerning the problem it is necessary to decide upon the main issue: to realize the reason of aging. Without correct understanding of the aging reason and aging mechanism we are not able to realize where and how to develop in order to get the correct solution and result. Without it all the research is going to be held and at random, finishing by failure. In terms of modern gerontology a number of alternative theories take place, contradicting each other. There is no a single theory of aging reasons. Each scientist-gerontologist using his/her academic standing insists on his/her scientific version on reason of aging. In order to understand the situation on reason of aging the overview of theories supported by world popular gerontologists.

2. Overview of popular theories of aging reasons

Any theory must have a physical model! Without a physical model of a scientific theory may have the status - the assumption, nothing more. Vlasov theory of aging is due to the physical model and the model is patented!

The genetic causes of aging theory has no physical model. The theory is unproven assumption. All the above in the review of the theory about the cause of aging and do not have a physical model.

There are about 200 theories of aging. We describe only some of them mostly preferable for gerontologists.

Molecular genetic theories.

A version according to which reason of aging is in the changes of cell genetic apparatus.

Molecular genetic theories are subdivided into two parts. One part considers age-related changes of genome as inherently programmed. The second part holds that aging is a result of accidental mutations accumulation.

V.F. Vlasov’s commentary.
Age-related changes of genome are considered in the theory without mechanism and reasons of change explanation. Mechanism of storage and transmitting of genetic information is not revealed also.

Telomeric theory.

In 1961 L. Hayflick, a gerontologist, stated that human skin cells able to divide can divide in vitro not more than 50 times. Hayflick could not explain this division. In 1971 A. M. Olovnikov, a research officer of Biochemical Physics Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, using data on DNA synthesis principles in the cells proposed a supposal which explained “Hayflick’s limit” by the fact that while every cell division chromosomes become shorter. The chromosomes have special ending sectors – telomeres that reduce in size after every doubling of chromosomes, and for some moment they are shortened so much that the cell is not able to divide any more. Its viability is gradually reduced, and that comprises cells aging according to the telomeric theory. Discovery of telomerase ferment in 1985 that completes the shortened telomeres in reproductive and tumor cells providing their permanent existence proved Olovnikov’s theory. A. M. Olovnikov has decided recently that telomeric hypothesis does not explain the reasons of aging and proposed, first redusome hypothesis, then lunar gravitational hypothesis. However they were not proved by experiments and not approved by gerontologists.

V.F. Vlasov’s commentary.
Reasons and mechanisms of telomere’s shortening are not revealed and understood.

Tilting (ontogenetic) theory of aging.

At the beginning of 1950 V. M. Dilman, a gerontologist, proposed and proved an idea of a single mechanism regulating and determining age-related changes of different homeostatic systems of organism. According to the Dilman’s hypothesis a basic part of such mechanisms as development and consequent aging is hypothalamus, controlling the endocrine system. The main reason of aging is age-related sensory decrement of hypothalamus to control signals coming from neurotic system and internal secretion glands. According to Dilman, aging and adjacent diseases are the side-product of ontogenesis genetic program implementation.

V.F. Vlasov’s commentary.
Why does sensory decrement of hypothalamus to control signals come in the course of life?

Adaptive control theory.

Gerontologist V. V. Frolkis’s aging model stating that age and death are genetically programmed. Age-related development and lifespan are determined by the balance of two processes: aging process and “anti-aging” process. This process is assigned to maintain the organism viability, its adaptation, lifespan elongation. An important part of the Frolkis’s theory is the hypothesis of genetic control according to which primary mechanisms of aging are control genes work failure, that regulate structural genes activity and consequently synthesis intensity of protein decoded in them.

V.F. Vlasov’s commentary.
“Are age and death genetically programmed?” Programming “device” and way of programming are not detected. Plenty of genes programming in a living organism is hardly possible.

Stochastic (relativity) theories.

According to these theories, aging is accidental processes at the molecular level. Many gerontologists think that aging is a result of accidental mutations accumulation in chromosomes due to improvement processes wear and tear in molecules.

Vlasov’s commentary.
“Accidental mutations accumulation in chromosomes” can occur at any age. Young organisms go over the problem easily.