INTRODUCTION: The aging process represents a progressive decline in cellular and 
organism function. Explaining the aging process has given rise to a cornucopia 
for different theories in which the basic difference has been the question 
whether aging is genetically regulated or an entropic degeneration process.
DISCUSSION: Different screening techniques have revealed that mammalian aging is 
associated with the activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor system. The 
NF-kappaB system is an ancient host defense system concerned with immune 
responses and different external and internal dangers, such as oxidative and 
genotoxic stress. NF-kappaB signaling is not only the master regulator of 
inflammatory responses but can also regulate several homeostatic responses such 
as apoptosis, autophagy, and tissue atrophy. We will describe how chronic 
activation of NF-kappaB signaling has the capacity to induce the senescent 
phenotype associated with aging. Interestingly, several longevity genes such as 
SIRT1, SIRT6, and FoxOs can clearly suppress NF-kappaB signaling and in this way 
delay the aging process and extend lifespan.
CONCLUSION: It seems that the aging process is an entropic degeneration process 
driven by NF-kappaB signaling. This process can be regulated by a variety of 
longevity genes along with a plethora of other factors such as genetic 
polymorphism, immune and dietary aspects, and environmental insults.