Abstract This paper discusses the role that DNA plays in the aging process. The author looks at several studies that have been conducted over the years that look at how different types of drugs and disease affect the aging process. Some of the studies involved a look at such issues as cholesterol and the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs on both the human and animal populations. The paper also looks at Vitamin K, the loss of DNA from the human heart as a person ages, how a person's alcohol and tobacco use affect their longevity. In all of these cases, the paper looks at both the male and female populations in order to illustrate how all of these different aspects affect an individual's DNA and as a result, their life expectancy.
From the Paper "The third category, accretional defects, results from the accumulation of waste materials composed of nonfunctioning of poorly functioning parts of the body system during aging. These involve the liver and kidneys. The human liver must absorb 70% of the dysfunction before they appear in routine blood tests (Strehler), since it is one of the many jobs of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. (Bilirubin is a natural by-product of red blood cells at the end of their life cycle.) A high-level bilirubin translates into jaundice and is harmful to the brain if high levels accumulate in the blood. But if the liver's own removal cells are malfunctioning, bilirubin accumulates in the blood and damages the person's overall health. (Strehler). The kidneys are even hardier : 90% of them must sustain the damage and be damaged themselves before abnormalities are detected in blood tests of kidney function (Strehler). This means a person may have kidney trouble for many years without knowing it, only until his or her kidneys are 90% damaged, during which the signs of illness begin to show."
Abstract This paper takes a look at liver disease, the liver transplant operation, patients awaiting liver transplants and post transplant patients. This paper specifically focuses on the surgical intensive care unit Mayo Clinic at St. Luke's Hospital, Jacksonville USA, and studies a patient referred to as F.M, a 58 year old white male from Boston, MA.
From the Paper "F.M. had a history of ETOH abuse. It is reported that he had a history of 42 beers/wk for thirty years. This amounts to a six pack a day for thirty years. F.M. reports quitting in March of 2003. Alcohol can induce alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde that causes the alteration of hepatocyte function. It impairs mitochondrial function that decreases oxidation of fatty acid. Enzyme and protein synthesis is altered leading to diminished degradation of hormones and ammonia. When inhibition of export of protein from the liver occurs alteration in metabolism of vitamins and minerals induce malnutrition. The alteration of hepatocyte function is what ultimately triggers the cellular damage to the liver which initiates the inflammatory response. The damage caused from this process is slowly progressive and thought to be reversible depending on extent of damage (Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Lewis 2004).
The major risk factor that F.M. has contributing to his current condition is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV is an RNA virus that is mainly transmitted percutaneously. This virus causes direct cellular damage to the liver initiating the inflammatory response. The course of this virus varies with extensive damage not showing up until 25-30 years later. A reliable antibody test was not widely available before 1992. So many patients given blood or blood products before then are at risk for infection (Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Lewis 2004). F.M was a veteran of the Vietnam War in the 1960s and received a blood transfusion at that time. "
