Scientists from all over the world are effect of glycation on the process of aging. It
searching for a universal mechanism to pre- is assumed to be an accurate predictor and
vent premature aging. Apparently, it doesn’t indicator of aging. In the previous lectures
exist, since aging is a multifactorial process. In we mentioned the fact that glycation can
the previous lectures we stressed its systemic accelerate aging 3-4 times. But what is gly-
character. Scientists, however, are trying to cation actually?
find distinct markers or indicators of aging A crust forms on food when frying. This is
and influence them. They are to understand the result of the Maillard reaction that culi-
that by working with one particular manifes- nary experts are familiar with. A similar crust
tation of aging they will not be able to solve is formed in our body, and this is the result
the problem. In our country they consider the of glycation. It is a combination of various
level of insulin-like growth factor to be one sugars with proteins. This reaction is revers-
of such markers of aging, as it shows tissue ible at the beginning, but as time passes, ad-
growth and regeneration rate. Besides, the vanced glycation products may develop, and
level of dehydroepiandrosterone produced by the body cannot get rid of them on its own.
the adrenal glands is also taken into account, All types of proteins and peptides (being de-
for it is known to decrease with age. rived from proteins) undergo glycation. Pep-
The level of melatonin can also be consid- tides undergo structural degradation no less
ered as a marker. It indicates the condition of than proteins themselves. Because of this,
the pineal gland. Melatonin levels determine the body can no longer reproduce good-qual-
how efficient the body is. ity proteins. Glycation also affects nuclear
The length of telomeres (ends of chromo- proteins and DNA molecules. The process
somes in cells) can also be taken into account. of glycation is closely related to free radical
It is common knowledge that it shortens with oxidation of the body. Glycation damages not
age. When telomeres become too short, the only proteins, but antioxidant enzymes as
cell receives a signal for utilization. A telo- well. If the body’s antioxidant systems do not
meric test can be used to determine the bi- function properly, the 2nd and 3rd phases of
ological age of an individual. The length of detoxification may fail. Glycation causes not
telomeres can shorten because of various only lipid peroxidation and protein damage,
diseases and exessive overload. However, but also immune receptor mechanisms.
it can be increased with the help of the pi- By disrupting the structure of endothelial
neal gland peptide — this was proved back receptors, the process causes inflammation
in 2000-2004. American scientists tried to in the vascular wall. Against the background
prove that drugs that contain astragalus ex- of such an oxidative, inflammatory and glyca-
tract can also prevent telomere shortening. tion pattern, the vascular wall is permanently
Unfortunately, it was proved that despite damage and atherosclerosis develops.
its valuable adaptogenic and immunomod- Where does glycation take place? Almost
ulatory properties, it displays no telomerase throughout the whole body. Structural, trans-
activity. portation, intracellular proteins are affected.
Cosmetologists have their own markers of Hemoglobin is also glycated Hemoglobin
aging, such as the progerin protein. Its lev- is also glycated (this is one of the ways to
el can be reduced with the help of Revilab diagnose diabetes mellitus). The amount of
peptide cosmetics, especially Revilab No. 7 glycated hemoglobin helps estimate the level
serum. of glycation in the body.
Over the past 10 years, a new trend has Sudden increases in the level of glycation
emerged — scientists started considering the might be a sign of an imminent catastrophe.
47 // Health territory. PEPTIDES. The Process of Glycation
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