Envelhecimento ativo e a indústria da perfeição / Active ageing and the culture of perfection

Resumo Nas últimas duas décadas, o envelhecimento ativo adquiriu expressão relevante enquanto paradigma de políticas públicas para fazer face aos desafios colocados pelo envelhecimento demográfico. Definido, primeiramente pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), de forma a enfatizar a responsabilidade da sociedade no seu conjunto relativamente à qualidade de vida ao longo do processo de envelhecimento, o paradigma do envelhecimento ativo, atualmente, tem vindo a concentrar-se, sobretudo, no adiamento da idade da reforma e na redução dos custos com a saúde nos últimos anos de vida, a partir de uma lógica de responsabilização individual. Para a elaboração deste artigo, foram consultados vários sítios on-line de clínicas médicas portuguesas nas quais se praticam consultas/tratamentos de medicina antienvelhecimento, analisando os anúncios publicitários dos serviços prestados, bem como artigos de opinião redigidos pelos próprios médicos dessa especialidade, dirigidos a um público leigo. Conclui-se que, a par da responsabilização individual pela saúde e, de forma mais geral, pela forma como se envelhece, assistimos hoje à expansão de um amplo mercado de produtos e serviços antienvelhecimento que nos permitem argumentar que o ideal de envelhecimento ativo poderá estar ao serviço de uma indústria da perfeição.

Abstract In the last two decades, Active Ageing acquired significant importance in scientific and political forums as a new paradigm of public policies to meet challenges posed by the ageing population. Defined by the WHO as to emphasize society's responsibility regarding quality of life as people age, the Active Ageing paradigm represents, nowadays, a progressive narrowing of action scope and accountability. In recent years, assuming the logic of individual accountability, it serves as basis for the accusation of individual negligence in not adopting a healthy lifestyle. This study analyses the websites of several Portuguese medical clinics specialized in anti-ageing medicine, where one can find advertisements of the services provided, and, in some cases, opinion articles drawn up by doctors of this medical specialty, for a lay audience. Considering the increasing international dimension of the aesthetic and hormonal enhancement biotechnologies market, the ideal of Active ageing can, today, be at the service of the culture of perfection.

Hormônios e o "aprimoramento natural" do corpo: a personalização do processo de envelhecimento na medicina anti-aging / Hormones and "natural enhancement" of the body: personalized aging in anti-aging medicine

Resumo Este artigo discute o papel das terapias hormonais na construção de uma narrativa da saúde para a longevidade da medicina anti-aging. O objetivo é identificar o significado dos hormônios na constituição de um processo de aprimoramento do corpo para manter suas funções naturais e possibilitar a personalização do envelhecimento. A análise é parte da pesquisa realizada no Brasil com médicos praticantes, pacientes e médicos críticos, membros do Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM), por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação em campo. Discute-se o estabelecimento de uma rede internacional de profissionais e instituições que viabiliza a expansão das práticas anti-aging em um contexto institucional desfavorável. Na proposição de uma abordagem holística do envelhecimento, a medicina anti-aging se concentra não em doenças típicas da velhice, mas no aprimoramento das condições de saúde ao longo da vida. Considerados "combustíveis" da vida, os hormônios se destacam como elementos de integração entre a particularidade dos pacientes e a generalidade do processo natural de envelhecimento, fortalecendo uma perspectiva de aprimoramento natural, com recursos do próprio corpo. A modulação com hormônios bioidênticos é contraposta à hegemonia da indústria farmacêutica em uma narrativa que altera as fronteiras entre terapia e aprimoramento, natural e artificial, tratamento e estilo de vida.

Abstract This article discusses the role of hormonal therapies in the narrative concerning longevity present in anti-aging medicine. The objective is identifying the meaning that hormones have in the body enhancement process aimed to preserve natural functions and enable the personalization of aging. This analysis is part of a study conducted in Brazil with practitioners of anti-aging medicine, patients and objector members of the Brazilian Council of Medicine, by means of semi-structured interviews and fieldwork observation. The discussion addresses the formation of an international network of professionals and institutions supporting anti-aging practices in a disadvantageous institutional context in Brazil. Anti-aging medicine proposes a holistic approach to aging and focuses on enhancing health conditions throughout the patient's life instead of targeting aging-related diseases. Hormones are considered "fuel" for life processes and conceived as elements that can integrate the particularity of each patient and the general aspect of natural tendencies in the aging process. That perspective strengthens the conception of natural enhancement, using the body's own resources. Bioidentical hormone modulation contrasts with the pharmaceutical industry in a narrative that alters the boundaries between therapy and enhancement, natural and artificial, treatment and lifestyle.

Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Codonopsis Radix on MicroRNA Expression Profiling of D-galactose Induced Kidney of Aging Mice / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To explore the effects of aqueous extracts of Codonopsis Radix onD-galactose induced aging model mice; To discuss the anti-aging molecular mechanism of Codonopsis Radix.Methods Subcutaneous injection ofD-galactose solution was used to establish aging models. 100 Kunming mice were divided into normal control group, model group and low-, medium-, high-dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional groups randomly, 20 mice in each group. Low-, medium-, high-dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional groups were given relevant dosage for gavage, while normal control group and model group were given the same volume of NS by gavage for 42 d. After treatment for 42 days, the BUN and CREA in mouse serum were examined; the AffymetrixmiRNA 4.0 microarray was employed to identify the differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) related with these processes; the bioinformatic tools were also used to further analyze the cluster of miRNA microarrys and the pathways which the target genes of miRNA were involved in.Results Compared with normal control group, the levels of BUN and CREA in mouse serum increased in model group (P<0.05); compared with model group, the levels of BUN and CREA in Low-, medium-, high-dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional groups decreased, in which high-dose of Codonopsis Radix could most significantly inhibit the level of BUN (P<0.05); the cluster analysis showed the miRNA expression profilings of high dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional group and normal control group were brought together, while the profiling of model group was clearly divided with the other groups. In model group vers normal control group, 36 differentiated expressed miRNA showed, which predicated in 10 main biological functions. In high-dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional group vers model group, 34 differentiated expressed miRNAs in high-dose of Codonopsis Radix interventional group showed, and the analytical results of biological functions of target genes were the same as those of model group vers normal control group.Conclusion In the anti-aging process, Codonopsis Radix can not only influence the miRNA expression profiling, but also influence its functional environment.