Oxidative stress and aging

Abstract The fountain of youth has always been a myth for man kind. aging is a physiologic state in which a progres sive decline of organ functions is accompanied with the development of age-related diseases. the causes of aging remain unknown, probably being related to a multifactorial process. to date, the free radical and mi tochondrial theories seem to be the 2 most prominent theories on aging and have survived the test of time. such theories claim that oxidative stress within mito chondria can lead to a vicious cycle in which damaged mitochondria produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species, leading in turn to progressive au gmentation in damage. if aging results from oxidative stress, it may be corrected by environmental, nutritio nal and pharmacological strategies. this review sum marizes the role of free radicals and oxidative stress in developing aging in kidney and human pathologies.