Evidence for association of mitochondrial metabolism alteration with lipid accumulation in aging rats.

Evidence for association of mitochondrial metabolism alteration with lipid accumulation in aging rats.
Exp Gerontol. 2014 Feb 8;
Authors: Zhao L, Zou X, Feng Z, Luo C, Liu J, Li H, Chang L, Wang H, Li Y, Long J, Gao F, Liu J
Abstract
Adipogenesis and lipid accumulation during aging have a great impact on the aging process and the pathogenesis of chronic, age-related diseases. However, little is known about the age-related molecular changes in lipid accumulation and the mechanisms underlying them. Here, using 5-month- and 25-month-old rats (young and old, respectively), we found that epididymal fat is the only tissue to accumulate during aging. By testing tissues rich with mitochondria in old and young animals, we found that the old animals had elevated levels of triglycerides in their muscle, heart and liver tissues but not in their kidneys, while, the mRNA level of fatty acid synthase remained unchanged among four tissues. Regarding lipid degradation, we determined that the activities of mitochondrial ETC. complexes changed in aged rats (Muscle: decreased complex I and V activity; Heart: decreased complex I acitivity; Liver: increased complex I and III activity; Kidney: decreased complex I and increased complex II activity). While, changes in mitochondrial content were not observed in muscle, heart nor liver tissue except increased complex IV and V subunits in aged kidneys. Furthermore, decreased mitochondrial fusion marker Mfn2, decreased PG...

Source: Experimental Gerontology - February 8, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Zhao L, Zou X, Feng Z, Luo C, Liu J, Li H, Chang L, Wang H, Li Y, Long J, Gao F, Liu J Tags: Exp Gerontol Source Type: research