Gerontology studies the mechanisms of aging and the factors influencing the aging process. This term was first proposed in 1903 by our Russian scientist I.I. Mechnikov. In 1908, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Modern gerontology is an interdisciplinary science that includes biology of aging, geriatrics, gerontopsychology, and gerontohygieny. The task of aging biology is to elucidate the mechanisms of aging of organisms and the factors determining life expectancy. The biology and pharmacology of aging includes both experimental studies on animals of various species and clinical studies of humans at various periods of life. The most commonly used models in experimental gerontology in the study of agents that increase life expectancy are yeast, nematodes, fruit flies, fish, mice and rats. Dogs and monkeys are successfully used, but much less often, since they live much longer than their smaller counterparts. Mammalian physiology has significant similarities with human physiology, especially on cellular damage, which allows them to be widely used for testing drugs that increase life expectancy and affect the development of age-related pathology. For experimental research in laboratories, white rats are often used, which are albinos of black and gray breeds. An important advantage of white rats as laboratory animals is their sufficient ease and convenience in keeping and breeding, as well as their resistance to infectious diseases and relatively short life expectancy. They are used for all kinds of scientific purposes in biology, oncology, toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, and genetics. In accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, keeping laboratory animals should be comfortable and convenient primarily for the “subjects” themselves. For rats, there is a certain temperature regime, air humidity and ventilation, a minimum cage area, feeders and drinkers for uninterrupted consumption of feed and water. All experiments on laboratory animals are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association on the Humane Treatment of Animals, the principles of humanity set out in the European Community Directive, the Bioethical Rules for Conducting Research on Humans and Animals, the Guidelines for the Experimental Study of New Pharmacological Substances and other applicable regulatory documents. From this point of view, gerontological research is the most humane, since it involves observing animals until their natural death in order to evaluate a particular remedy proposed to increase life expectancy or improve its quality.

Currently, researchers are attracted to the pineal gland (pineal or pineal gland) and its role in animal and human physiology.

The pineal gland is associated with many organs and is the gland responsible for chronobiological regulation (perhaps the most important!). It is part of the “biological clock” system, which plays a key role in the mechanisms of “counting internal time” and aging. The pineal gland plays an important role in regulating biological rhythms, endocrine gland activity, antioxidant status, metabolism, mood regulation, immunity, and memory. Great importance is attached to the study of the pineal gland in physiological and pathological (accelerated) aging, its influence on the development of diseases (including cancer). What does it look like, this pineal gland, which, as it turns out, is responsible for everything important in our body? In youth, it is a small oval formation located in the very center of the brain, weighing only 100-180 g. In old age, the pineal gland resembles a pine cone (hence the name pineal gland), it is covered with bumps and bumps – it is a deposit of “brain sand” (so the well–known phrase “Sand is falling” is not devoid of physiological meaning). The functions of the pineal gland are provided by the synthesis of various substances in it. Melatonin, discovered (only!) in 1958 by Aaron Lerner, is considered the main hormone of the gland. Until that time, the epiphysis was considered a rudimentary gland devoid of any physiological meaning! Melatonin is known to be synthesized from serotonin. Serotonin is produced in the pineal gland from the amino acid tryptophan. The control of the pineal gland is carried out by light mode – hormone production decreases in the light, increases at night. Light information entering the retina of the eye is transmitted to the pineal gland.

Scheme of melatonin synthesis in pinealocytes The pineal gland has an extremely wide range of biological activity. The pineal gland is involved in the regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, adaptation to environmental changes, reproductive function, antioxidant and antitumor protection of the body. (Circadian biorhythms have a duration of 20-28 hours, are synchronized with the rotation of the Earth and the alternation of day and night, persist throughout life, and are controlled by an active internal “rhythm driver.”) Thus, the pineal gland belongs to the biological clock of the body, which plays a key role in the mechanisms of aging. Iron, with the help of melatonin, participates in the organization of daily periodicity and regulation of many interrelated biological processes.

Numerous studies have shown the effect of light radiation, both natural and artificial, its duration and intensity on various biological functions of the body. The interest in this issue is related to the increased exposure to light at night. Light pollution (the lightening of the night sky by artificial light sources, the light of which is scattered in the lower atmosphere) is part of the modern lifestyle, accompanied by many serious behavioral and health disorders. The light regime and the phase of the day determine the secretory activity of the pineal gland and the amount of melatonin produced. According to the hypothesis of circadian destruction, exposure to light at night disrupts the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion, leading to a decrease in its concentration. Prolonged exposure to disturbed circadian rhythms causes various hormonal and metabolic disorders and promotes accelerated aging of the body.

In addition to excessive artificial lighting at night, the effect of peculiar photoperiodism (reactions of living organisms to the diurnal rhythm of illumination, the duration of daylight and the ratio between dark and daylight), characteristic of the North-West of Russia, including Karelia, is of great importance. In Karelia, there are changes in natural light during the annual cycle, characterized by the presence of “white nights” in the spring and summer period and a decrease in the length of daylight in autumn and winter. It is worth noting that such a peculiar photoperiodism is typical not only for the North-West of Russia, but also for a large number of territories united by the general term “circumpolar regions”. The complexity of natural, climatic and anthropogenic conditions is a factor affecting the health of the local population, leading to the development of shifts in the main physiological systems of the body and the formation of pathology. The result of living in the northern regions is a high incidence of diseases among the population and, as a result, low life expectancy compared to similar indicators in the Russian Federation.

According to statistics, in 2007, life expectancy in Karelia was 65.1 years, in 2008 – 65.5 years, in 2009 – 66.6 years. The high incidence rate of the population, especially the working population, adversely affects the economy of the region and the country. All this forces us to find and implement various methods that contribute to the preservation of human health living in the Far North. Currently, increasing life expectancy is one of the priorities for the development of the state. The so-called hypopinealism (decreased activity of the pineal gland), which occurs both from light pollution and from our white nights, can and should be combated. To do this, it is recommended to use non–medicinal methods first of all: in winter, during the daytime, when we have little sun, stay in natural light as much as possible, since it is the most useful, or create an optimal artificial lighting regime for yourself, that is, do everything to produce serotonin (and this is the “hormone of joy”, as it is known). Then, the so-called depression of the North, which occurs in our dark winter days, will pass by. Go to bed before 12 a.m. (and be sure to sleep at two a.m.). But this is so that melatonin, whose peak production occurs just at this time, is fully produced and delays our aging. The sleep duration should be sufficient (about 7-8 hours) – and again, in order for melatonin to be formed just as much as we need. It is not recommended to turn on the light in the bedroom at night, various nightlights, sleep with the light on, leave the computer and other electrical appliances running. Access to light from the street (lanterns, advertisements, etc.) should be stopped as much as possible at night. Blackout curtains should be hung on the windows or a blindfold/glasses should be worn over the eyes to sleep. If possible, avoid night work, as well as taking medications that lower melatonin levels at night (consult your doctor!). In the evening and at night, you should stop drinking caffeine, which is found in tea, coffee, Coca-Cola; alcohol and smoking, as this also leads to a decrease in melatonin production. In the spring and summer season, when melatonin synthesis decreases, you can take vitamin and mineral complexes, including vitamins B3 and B6, calcium and magnesium – they increase its production. At any time of the year, it is good to include foods such as bananas, turkey, chicken, cheese, nuts, and seeds in your diet. They are rich in tryptophan, which is known to be a precursor to both melatonin and serotonin. If you follow all the recommendations outlined above, it is possible to avoid or at least slow down the decrease in the activity of our pineal gland, and therefore reduce your aging. Be healthy! Author: Irina Vinogradova, Lyceum online magazine.