DNA Demethylase Activation via Klotho Reduces Arterial Stiffening in Mice

In this study, we assessed if activation of the demethylase affects arterial stiffening and hypertension in aged mice. The Klotho gene was originally identified as a putative aging-suppressor gene in mice that extended lifespan when overexpressed and caused multiple premature aging phenotypes when disrupted. The Klotho level decreases with age, while the prevalence of arterial stiffness and hypertension increases with age. At age 70 years, the serum level of Klotho is only about one half of what it was at age 40 years. Moreover, the serum Klotho level is significantly decreased in patients with arterial stiffness in chronic kidney diseases. Our recent study showed that haplodeficiency of Klotho gene caused arterial stiffness. We found, in cultured renal tubule cells, that a small compound (compound H) may be a potential inducer of Klotho gene expression. Whether compound H promotes Klotho expression and release in vivo has never been determined. In this study, we investigated whether compound H increases Klotho levels and attenuates aging-associated arterial stiffening and hypertension. Our results demonstrated that aging-related arterial stiffening and hypertension are attributed, at least in part, to the increased DNA methylation. Compound H activates demethylases and attenuates arterial stiffening and hypertension in aged mice likely via increasing the Klotho levels. Aging-related arterial stiffness was associated with accumulation of stiffer collagen and deg...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs