Regulating the Age-Related Oxidative Damage, Mitochondrial Integrity, and Antioxidative Enzyme Activity in Fischer 344 Rats by Supplementation of the Antioxidant Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingying Meng ◽  
Chidambaram Natesa Velalar ◽  
Runsheng Ruan
2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Kwan Baek ◽  
Kyung-Ok Kim ◽  
Hyun-Jin Kwon ◽  
Yong-Woo Kim ◽  
Joo-Hyun Woo ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1852-1862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Fogarty ◽  
Tanya S. Omar ◽  
Wen-Zhi Zhan ◽  
Carlos B. Mantilla ◽  
Gary C. Sieck

Sarcopenia is the age-related reduction of muscle mass and specific force. In previous studies, we found that sarcopenia of the diaphragm muscle (DIAm) is evident by 24 mo of age in both rats and mice and is associated with selective atrophy of type IIx and IIb muscle fibers and a decrease in maximum specific force. These fiber type-specific effects of sarcopenia resemble those induced by DIAm denervation, leading us to hypothesize that sarcopenia is due to an age-related loss of phrenic motor neurons (PhMNs). To address this hypothesis, we determined the number of PhMNs in young (6 mo old) and old (24 mo old) Fischer 344 rats. Moreover, we determined age-related changes in the size of PhMNs, since larger PhMNs innervate type IIx and IIb DIAm fibers. The PhMN pool was retrogradely labeled and imaged with confocal microscopy to assess the number of PhMNs and the morphometry of PhMN soma and proximal dendrites. In older animals, there were 22% fewer PhMNs, a 19% decrease in somal surface area, and a 21% decrease in dendritic surface area compared with young Fischer 344 rats. The age-associated loss of PhMNs involved predominantly larger PhMNs. These results are consistent with an age-related denervation of larger, more fatigable DIAm motor units, which are required primarily for high-force airway clearance behaviors. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Diaphragm muscle sarcopenia in rodent models is well described in the literature; however, the relationship between sarcopenia and frank phrenic motor neuron (MN) loss is unexplored in these models. We quantify a 22% loss of phrenic MNs in old (24 mo) compared with young (6 mo) Fischer 344 rats. We also report reductions in phrenic MN somal and proximal dendritic morphology that relate to decreased MN heterogeneity in old compared with young Fischer 344 rats.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. R897-R903 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Schutzer ◽  
John F. Reed ◽  
Michael Bliziotes ◽  
Scott L. Mader

The age-related decline in β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR)-mediated vasorelaxation is associated with desensitization of β-ARs without significant downregulation. The primary mode of this homologous β-AR desensitization, in general, is via G protein receptor kinases (GRK). Therefore, we hypothesize that age-related changes in GRKs are causative to this etiology in rat aorta. Herein, we investigate the activity and cellular distribution (cytoplasmic vs. membrane) of several GRK isoforms and β-arrestin proteins. GRK activity was assessed in extracts from aortic tissue of 6-wk, 6-mo, 12-mo, and 24-mo-old male Fischer-344 rats using a rhodopsin phosphorylation assay. We also performed immunoblots on lysates from aorta with specific antibodies to GRK-2, -3, -5, and β-arrestin-1. Results show an age-related increase in GRK activity. Furthermore, expression of GRK-2 (cytoplasmic and membrane), GRK-3 (cytoplasmic and membrane), and β-arrestin (soluble) increased with advancing age, whereas GRK-5 (membrane) expression remained unchanged. These results suggest that age is associated with increased activity and expression of specific GRKs. This increase likely results in enhanced phosphorylation and desensitization of β-ARs. These biochemical changes are consistent with observed aging physiology.


1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Powers ◽  
D. Criswell ◽  
R. A. Herb ◽  
H. Demirel ◽  
S. Dodd

Recent evidence demonstrates that aging results in an increase in fast (type IIB) myosin heavy chain (MHC) in the rat diaphragm. It is unknown whether this age-related change in fast MHC influences the diaphragmatic maximal shortening velocity (Vmax). Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that aging is associated with an increase in the diaphragmatic Vmax and that the increase in the Vmax is highly correlated with the percentage of type IIb MHC. In vitro contractile properties were measured with costal diaphragm strips obtained from young (4 mo old; n = 8) and (old 24 mo old; n = 8) male Fischer-344 rats. Diaphragmatic maximal tetanic specific force production was 14.5% lower in the old compared with the young animals (23.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 19.7 +/- 0.8 N/cm2; P < 0.05). In contrast, the diaphragmatic Vmax was significantly higher in the old compared with the young animals (5.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.3 lengths/s; P < 0.05). Although the percent type IIb MHC was significantly higher (approximately +14%; P < 0.05) in the old compared with the young animals, the correlation between Vmax and percent type IIb MHC was relatively low (r = 0.50; P = 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that an age-related increase in diaphragmatic Vmax occurs; however, factors in addition to type IIb MHC are involved in regulating diaphragmatic Vmax. Interestingly, although aging resulted in a decrease in diaphragmatic maximal specific force production, power output at all muscle loads was maintained in the old animals due to the increase in diaphragmatic shortening velocity.


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