A Small Molecule to Reduce Mitochondrial Generation of Oxidative Stress

Researchers here report on an improved version of compounds known to reduce the generation of oxidizing molecules by mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction can produce sustained oxidative stress that changes cell behavior for the worse, contributing to aspects of aging. That targeting antioxidants to the mitochondria or upregulating natural antioxidant molecules can produce some benefit to health suggests that the size of the contribution is meaningful. The details matter, however, and as cells use mild mitochondrial oxidative stress to trigger beneficial maintenance activities, with the metabolic response to exercise being one example of this in action, one can't just take a blunt approach to the problem and expect benefits to result. That the approach here works for mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of obesity doesn't necessarily mean it will work well in the context of aging. Numerous mechanisms and pathways have been suggested to initiate metabolic syndrome and the eventual development of specific diseases. In particular, there is a wealth of literature connecting metabolic syndrome to increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). The most compelling evidence comes from genetic manipulations in mice. Expression or overexpression of enzymes that determine the superoxide and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix (superoxide dismutase 2, SOD2; peroxiredoxin 3, PRDX3; mitochondria-targeted catalase, mCAT) are all strongly prote...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs