title: Consequences of aging on mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in cultured human fibroblasts treated with ascorbate.
abstract: The activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes with and without ascorbate pretreatment were assayed in 10- to 20-week-old cultures of human fibroblasts. Aging was associated with a significant loss of respiratory chain enzyme activities. The presence of ascorbate in the medium reduced the rate of loss of these enzymes. Free radical-mediated injuries may also contribute to aging since the changes seen in respiratory chain enzyme activities are similar to those seen in oxidatively stressed cells. This study demonstrates an age-related decline in mitochondrial respiratory chain activity as well as a protective role for ascorbate in aging.
authors.affiliation: Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, CPRI, London, Ont., Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rupar
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rip
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III / Q000378:metabolism; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D016660:NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III; D001205:Ascorbic Acid