Can ＂Heavy Stable Isotope Food＂ Increase Longevity and Protect Renal Function?

Yuan-Hau Lin ； Hsien-Saw Kuo ； Chun-Mao Lin

《Acta Nephrologica》 30卷2期 (2016/06) Pp. 96-106

https://doi.org/10.6221/AN.2016011

並列摘要

Isotopes are atoms that have the same proton number but have different numbers of neutrons. There are many kinds of stable isotopes in nature. These stable isotopes exist with a stable character, so scientists can utilize them in studies of ecology and biology. Molecules or atoms with an odd number of electrons are called free radicals. They attack intracellular biomolecules (e.g., proteins, DNA, carbohydrates, and lipids), then cause an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to excessive cellular metabolism. The cells will then lose their normal physiological functions, and the organism will progress to disease, death, or a shortened life span. As the lipid structures react with the free radicals, the rate-limiting step in the chemical reaction of the substrate is to break the covalent bond between C and H. The stronger the bonding is, the slower the reaction will be performed. Therefore, if the heavier isotope element can substitute the lighter (such as ^(13)C for ^(12)C) one, the biomolecule is expected to be protected from being attacked by free radical (kinetic isotope effect, KIE). So they have potential to prevent the cell from damage. Thus, heavy isotopes may decrease morbidity and mortality and result in extending the life span. If ingested food has a higher content of heavier isotopes (^(13)C, D, ^(15)N, ^(18)O), that can offer a source of heavier elements of biomolecules. When the food is digested into smaller molecules, the isotope contents through the isotopic fractionation processes can effectively join the formation of biomolecules instead of being exchanged. The isotope food has been proved to be beneficial for the protection of the biomolecules. We propose that DNA, RNA, lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, the cellular structural elements, will be protected from the damage of ROS by the isotope contents of biomolecules. Finally, we provide an insight that a suitable amount of isotope-containing food may protect cells from ROS generation and result in increased human longevity and protection of renal function by anti-oxidant and antiaging.

並列關鍵字

aging ； biomolecule ； isotopic fraction ； KIE ； rate-limiting step ； ROS ； stable heavy isotope