Heat Shock Proteins

Heat Shock Proteins [FASEBJ/Heat Shock Protein Overexpression via Hsp22 extends Drosophila life span 30%.., Books/heat shock proteins, LibCong, Links/aging and heat shock proteins, Images, Papers, Books, LifeExtension, Wikipedia; Index/HSP90], [24s]. According to the Geron European Patent (A' alternate-source version Compositions and Methods for Increasing Telomerase Activity, or A''), heat shock proteins mediate the assembly of telomerase and can be used to increase telomerase levels in the cell. (White). Many heat shock proteins, such as HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90, are chaparonins mediating protein folding. Astragalosides seem to be treated like nuclear superfamily transcription factors complexed with the 90 kDa heat shock protein Hsp90 [Wikipedia, Links, Images, Papers, Books, Amazon] before tranfer into the nucleus of the cell. (Perhaps astragalosides are all stripped down to cycloastragenol, the common alglycone of the astragalosides, prior to transport into the nucleus.) It may accelerate matters to improve Hsp90 expression by some means, perhaps by raising Interleukin 6 levels via exercise. We might pump up just before taking our astragalus root extract with Chitosan to facilite its march into the nucleus complexed with Hsp90 elevated by the exercise session. HSP90 maintains cellular steroid receptors and transcription factors vital for protein synthesis. [See Iron Man, Sept.2009, for the Jerry Brainum article on heat shock proteins, summarized and expanded below.] "HSP90 is necessary for telomerase activity, as is p23." (Cong, Wright, and Shay, 2002). Heat shock proteins (stress proteins) maintain proper protein folding and transport proteins across cellular membranes. HSPs were discovered in 1962, when DNP (dinitrophenol) was used to increase body heat in fruit flies. HSPs help maintain protein shapes degraded by stress, including stress from infections, inflammation, toxins like alcohol, trace metals like cadmium or lead, and from UV light. Starvation, too little oxygen, dehydration and exercise all induce HSP release. We will consider HSP20, HSP22, HSP25, HSP60, HSP70, HSP72, and HSP90. Ubiquitin, which helps degrade certain muscle-associated proteins, acts like a small HSP. HSPs may signal immune cells. HSPs may monitor cell proteins, taking them to a place in the cell to make way for newly synthesized proteins. HSP20 prevents aggregation of platelets, clotting, the immediate cause of heart attacks and strokes, and protects against ischemia and reperfusion injuries. HSPs are involved in anticatabolic insulin metabolism. ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) stimulate HSP release, so HSPs are released better during exercise in the absence of antioxidants which counteract ROS. Antioxidants should be taken well after exercise if HSPs are to be abundantly available from a workout. HSPs boost glutathione, a major endogenous antioxidant. HSPs such as HSP70 blunt the release and activity of TNF-α, a major agent of muscle catabolism. The presence of TNF-α stimulates HSP70 release. HSP70 also inhibits NFκB, an inflammatory mediator partially responsible for muscle atrophy. In addition, HSP70 prevents foxo3 transcription. HSPs and NO interact, dialating bronchial tubes, dimenishing exercise-induced asthma. High intensity resistance exercises seem to be required to much boost HSP production from exercise. Note that HSP60 is released during contractions not causing much muscle injury, and is concentrated in mitochondria, helping to protect them. HSP60 also helps to maintain IGF-1 cell receptors, which has anti-aging benefits. HSP70 is produced during high-intensity contractions and helps damaged muscle proteins function again via refolding. Higher levels of HSP70 give better cardiovascular protection. HSP72 is boosted by anabolic steroids such as Deca-Durabolin, allowing more high-intensity training. HSP release is also stimulated by testosterone and catecholamines (stress hormones) including epinephrine and norepinephrine, which can be released by taking caffeine. Caffeine boosts HSP72 production during workouts. Perhaps the most effective HSP blocker during exercise is gamma tocopherol (abundant in peanuts), and so perhaps gamma tocopherol should be taken well after workouts if HSP production is to be emphasized. Another activator of HSPs in muscle cells is lipoic acid, and a combination of carnosine and zinc can also activate HSPs. Unfortunately,overexpression of certain HSPs can initiate cancer [Index/Cancer] in some cells by deactivating p53, a tumor-suppressing protein. From an anti-aging point of view, I believe I prefer to keep antioxidant protection high at all times, and rely on HGH, IGF-1, and NO from exercise more than on heat shock proteins from exercise for anti-aging benefits. On the other hand, lipoic acid and a combination of carnosine and zinc to activate HSPs looks attractive. Otherwise, regarding Hsp22, [Hytest/Human Heat Shock Protein Hsp22, Hsp22 extends the life span of Drosophila 30%. (Ben Best, also FASEB Journal, Genevive Morrow, Milanie Samson, et.al.) Also see elevating Hsp22 with Trichostatin A, [Books/heat shock proteins, Links, Wikipedia, LibCong/Heat Shock Proteins, LifeExtension] [24s]. Resveratrol activates SIRT1, which stress-inducibly regulates Heat Shock Factor (HSF1, HSF2, and HSF4), a transcription factor regulating the expression of Heat Shock Proteins. In fact, Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) regulates life span. Tex OE [Links, Papers, Books], an extract of the skin of prickly pear cactus fruit, is taken 2 hours prior to stress exposure such as bodybuilding exercise to raise levels of HSP70 and HSP27, and can increase HSPs by 200%. HSP70 blocks muscle atrophy. TEX OE is also used for hangovers. Supplements [Links/HSP supplements, Links/HSP activators] include HSPactive.