Lec 2 Aging Flashcards
T/F:
Cells, tissues, and organs may vary in age-related change in the same individual, but are ultimately connected.
True
Over the years, how has life expectancy from 65 changed?
Not much
Maximum life span
115
Definition:
Increased longevity observed in hybrids
Hybrid vigor
T/F:
People live longer if their parents live longer.
True
Life expectancy in twins.
Less difference in life expectancy of monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic.
Rare disease that causes children to age rapidly.
Progeria/ Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome
Adult progeria
Werner’s Syndrome
Signs of rapid aging don’t occur until they hit puberty.
Child progeria
Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome
These functions do NOT change as we age.
1) pH and electrolyte content of blood
2) Verbal intelligence
Rate of yearly loss of the functional capacity we had at 30 years old.
0.8-0.9%
Rate of mortality after 30 years old.
Doubles every 7 years
The catchall risk factor for most diseases.
Aging
Fibroblasts can only multiply a finite number of times.
Hayflick Limit
Nucleic acid sequences found at the ends of chromosomes.
Telomeres
These shorten every time a cell divides.
Telomeres
Telomere Theory
Telomere shortening causes cell damage that prevents the cell from duplicating.
Prevents cell damage from Telomere shortening.
Telomerase
Where is Telomerase found?
Germ and Cancer cells
Maintains the length of Telomeres by adding Guanine-rich nucleotides to DNA.
Telomerase
Free radicals damage cell membranes and create cellular waste, which accumulates.
Free Radical Theory
An age pigment that accumulates over time.
Lipofuscin
Cell Membrane Theory
The cell loses its ability to transfer chemicals and charge bc there’s a decrease in lipids and water in the cell membrane.
Where does Lipofuscin deposit?
Brain, heart, lung, and skin.
Mitochondrial decline Theory
Free radical damage causes mitochondria to make less ATP
AKA “Cross-linking Theory”
Glycosylation Theory
Glycoslyation Theory
Sugar binds to protein in the presence of oxygen
Makes up 25% of the body’s proteins.
Collagen
Affects the flow of nutrients and waste products from cells.
Cross-linking
T/F:
Molecules becomes irreversibly immobilized by cross-linking.
True
Says that the hypothalamus is damaged over time by release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.
Neuroendocrine Theory
One of the few hormones that increases with age.
Cortisol
This caused mice to live 50% longer.
Calorie restriction (In red)
This is an empirical observation, not a theory.
Calorie restriction
Theory:
Organism is only needed to reproduce and have a nurture period.
Evolution Theory
This theory says we have programmed events, like puberty and menopause
Biologic Clock Theory
Regulates aging and death of cells.
Sirtuins (SIR2)
Sirtuin found in red wine
Resveratrol
An anti-fungal immunosuppressant used in transplants
Rapamycin
Promotes cell division and growth
IGF (insulin-like growth factor)
Regulates how cells respond to Insulin and IGF
Rapamycin
Gene that is regulated by the Insulin/IGF pathway.
FOXO
When this gene is mutated, there’s an increase in longevity.
FOXO gene
Skin thickness sharply declines after what age?
60
- Skin is wrinkled, dry, atrophic, and flaccid.
- Vermillion border of the lip is NOT sharp.
- May be premalignant
Actinic, Senile, or Solar elastosis
From too much sun exposure.
Actinic Elastosis
These decrease as we get older.
Muscle Mass
Total body water
Thermoregulation
This increases as we get older.
Body fat
Orthostatic hypotension
The sensitivity of this reflex decreases as we age.
Baroreflex
These drugs include antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and many mold remedies, and must be used with care in older patients.
Anticholinergic drugs
Stiffness/Compliance of the heart as we get older.
Gets stiffer/less compliant
Why does the heart get stiffer as we age?
Increase in connective tissue.
AKA CHF caused by fibrosis.
How to manage CHF caused by fibrosis?
Diuresis and control of coexistent HTN.
This medication serves no purpose in managing CHF caused by fibrosis.
Digoxin
This is usually caused by the degeneration of a normal aortic valve if it occurs for the first time in a 60 year-old or older individual
Aortic Stenosis
This requires the use of pacemakers if it occurs in older adults.
Many adults are also treated with anticoagulants to prevent thrombosis and embolism.
Arrhythmias
Most important predisposing factor for endocarditis.
Previous disease
Safe INR for surgical treatment
< 3
This drug may prolong the QT interval, potentially leading to malignant arrhythmias.
Azole antifungals
Caution using the ultrasonic in patients with these bc it can cause an electrosurge.
Pacemakers
Defibrillators
Must do this to avoid endocarditis.
Premedicate
T/F:
To avoid endocarditis in people who premedicate, space the visits adequately to clear the drug and avoid a drug resistance effect.
True
Alternate between Amoxicillin and Clindamycin
T/F: As we age, the risk for infection of the lungs is increased.
Oral organisms may contribute to pulmonary infection in older adults.
True
May be a significant cause of mortality in institutionalized elders.
Pneumonia
GI issues as you get older have what affect on oral drug absorption?
Decreased absorption of most drugs given orally.
GFR in older patients.
Decreases
These increase the risk of dehydration during illness and warm periods in old people.
1) Urinary concentrating defect
2) Reduced thirst
After 40, how much does liver mass DECREASE each year?
1%
Plasma albumin levels in elderly.
Decrease
Effect of decreased plasma albumin level on drug effect.
Less plasma albumin means more unbound drug, so there’s a greater drug effect.
Mediates the effects of GH
IGF-1
GH levels decrease as we get older, so this also decreases.
IGF-1
This increases when GH is given to healthy older adult men with low IGF levels.
Lean body mass
This decreases when GH is given to healthy older men with low IGF levels.
Fat mass
Do brittle (poorly controlled) diabetics need to premedicate to prevent infections from surgery?
Yes
Age-related changes that occur in hematopoietic lab test values, like WBC count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, or platelet count.
No changes!
