The progressive increase in the elderly population poses social and healthcare challenges, requiring the implementation of strategies aimed at effectively assessing the health status of older individuals and promoting healthy aging. The concept of healthy aging, promoted by the WHO, emphasizes the importance of extending the years of life in good health (Healthspan) rather than focusing solely on lifespan. This mini-review aims to analyze the role of biomarkers in monitoring aging and promoting healthy aging, with a focus on vitality capacity and biological resilience. Biomarkers of aging and attributes of vitality capacity, useful parameters for monitoring changes associated with the aging process, were ana-lyzed. We propose a classification of biomarkers into molecular, physiological, functional, and digital categories, further distinguishing between biomarkers related to vitality capacity and those linked to biological resilience, each with specific analytical and clinical validation criteria. Additionally, the challenges associated with validation criteria and standardization are highlighted. Despite the limitations related to their applicability, the integration of biomarkers into healthcare could revolutionize the monitoring of aging, fostering a preventive and personalized approach. This underscores the importance of their clinical application for the future of healthy aging and gerontological medicine.
Biomarkers of aging and vitality capacity / Mersini, Manuel; De Virgilio Suglia, Cesare; Giampietro, Miriana; Tedesco, Noemi; Loconte, Martina; Albanesi, Marcello; Cinquantasei, Alessandro; Zenzola, Annalisa; Ballini, Andrea; Coviello, Giuseppe; Galeandro, Aldo I.; De Vito, Danila; Aprile, Luigi. - In: GAZZETTA MEDICA ITALIANA. ARCHIVIO PER LE SCIENZE MEDICHE. - ISSN 0393-3660. - 184:4(2025), pp. 345-352. [10.23736/s0393-3660.25.06054-1]
Biomarkers of aging and vitality capacity
MERSINI, Manuel;BALLINI, Andrea;COVIELLO, Giuseppe;
2025
Abstract
The progressive increase in the elderly population poses social and healthcare challenges, requiring the implementation of strategies aimed at effectively assessing the health status of older individuals and promoting healthy aging. The concept of healthy aging, promoted by the WHO, emphasizes the importance of extending the years of life in good health (Healthspan) rather than focusing solely on lifespan. This mini-review aims to analyze the role of biomarkers in monitoring aging and promoting healthy aging, with a focus on vitality capacity and biological resilience. Biomarkers of aging and attributes of vitality capacity, useful parameters for monitoring changes associated with the aging process, were ana-lyzed. We propose a classification of biomarkers into molecular, physiological, functional, and digital categories, further distinguishing between biomarkers related to vitality capacity and those linked to biological resilience, each with specific analytical and clinical validation criteria. Additionally, the challenges associated with validation criteria and standardization are highlighted. Despite the limitations related to their applicability, the integration of biomarkers into healthcare could revolutionize the monitoring of aging, fostering a preventive and personalized approach. This underscores the importance of their clinical application for the future of healthy aging and gerontological medicine.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
